US Bridges

Nelson Road over Butte Creek

Fair

Butte County, California · 0.9 MI E Aquas Frias RD · Structure no. 12C0070

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
227 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
1,138
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nelson Road over Butte Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Nelson Road over Butte Creek in Butte County, California. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 1,138 vehicles a day, roughly 28% of them trucks, projected to reach 213 by 2041. The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNelson Road
CrossesButte Creek
Location0.9 MI E Aquas Frias RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyButte County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates39.55152, -121.84048
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69.7 US tons
Inventory rating41.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadHS 20
Structure length227 ft (69.2 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,138 (2018)
Projected traffic213 by 2041
Trucks28%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Nelson Road over Butte Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nelson Road over Butte Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does Nelson Road over Butte Creek carry?

About 1,138 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 28% are trucks.

How long is Nelson Road over Butte Creek?

The structure is 227 ft (69.2 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Nelson Road over Butte Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.