US Bridges

State Route 16 over Bear Creek

Fair

Colusa County, California · 03-COL-016-R4.34 · Structure no. 15 0036

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete Continuous
Length
300 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
630
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Route 16 over Bear Creek is a concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying State Route 16 over Bear Creek in Colusa County, California. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 630 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,700 by 2040. The structure is 300 ft (91.4 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 78.3 mi (126 km).

Location

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CarriesState Route 16
CrossesBear Creek
Location03-COL-016-R4.34
RouteState Highway 16
CountyColusa County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates38.95838, -122.34244
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
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 inspectionMarch 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length300 ft (91.4 m)
Longest span118 ft (36 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic630 (2015)
Projected traffic1,700 by 2040
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed78.3 mi (126 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was State Route 16 over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is State Route 16 over Bear 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does State Route 16 over Bear Creek carry?

About 630 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is State Route 16 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 300 ft (91.4 m) long with a longest span of 118 ft (36 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns State Route 16 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.