US Bridges

San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK

Poor

Contra Costa County, California · West of Carol Lane · Structure no. 28C0062

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
425 ft
13 main spans
Daily traffic
10,300
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK is a concrete continuous slab carrying San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK in Contra Costa County, California. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 10,300 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 24,229 by 2042. The structure is 425 ft (129.5 m) long and 61 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSan Pablo Ave
CrossesBNSF RY and AMTRAK
LocationWest of Carol Lane
RouteCity Street 0
CountyContra Costa County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates38.00804, -122.2868
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.7 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans13
Design loadH 15
Structure length425 ft (129.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width61 ft (18.7 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,300 (2020)
Projected traffic24,229 by 2042
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$9.4 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2024.

How much traffic does San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK carry?

About 10,300 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK?

The structure is 425 ft (129.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 61 ft wide.

Who owns San Pablo Ave over BNSF RY and AMTRAK?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.