US Bridges

Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Butte County, California · 2.8 MI E/O RTE 99 · Structure no. 12C0366

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
60 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
135
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek in Butte County, California. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 135 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 97 by 2041. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18 mi (29 km).

Location

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CarriesCottonwood RD
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location2.8 MI E/O RTE 99
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyButte County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates39.55267, -121.637
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic135 (2007)
Projected traffic97 by 2041
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18 mi (29 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 Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 135 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Cottonwood RD over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.