US Bridges

Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal

Fair

Contra Costa County, California · 0.7 MI S SH 4 · Structure no. 28C0132

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1995
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20,300
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal in Contra Costa County, California. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1995, 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 fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 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 20,300 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 44,494 by 2047. The structure is 29 ft (8.7 m) long and 79 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesRailroad Ave
CrossesContra Costa Canal
Location0.7 MI S SH 4
RouteCity Street 0
CountyContra Costa County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates38.00733, -121.89287
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating22.8 US tons
Inventory rating16.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length29 ft (8.7 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.4 m)
Deck width79 ft (24 m)
Roadway width63 ft (19.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,300 (2020)
Projected traffic44,494 by 2047
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1995.

What condition is Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal carry?

About 20,300 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal?

The structure is 29 ft (8.7 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.4 m) and a deck 79 ft wide.

Who owns Railroad Ave over Contra Costa Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.