US Bridges

Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek

PoorPosted for load

Del Norte County, California · 4.1 Miles East of US 101 · Structure no. 01P0015

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Steel
Length
90 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2003 count
Owner
State
State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

About this bridge

Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek is a steel box beam or girders - multiple carrying Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek in Del Norte County, California. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 28 by 2044. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

CarriesRock Creek Road
CrossesEast Fork Mill Creek
Location4.1 Miles East of US 101
RouteState Lands Road 0
Coordinates41.72537, -124.07564
Functional classRural Local

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
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating19.6 US tons
Inventory rating12.1 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span82 ft (25 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2003)
Projected traffic28 by 2044
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Maintained byState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$579,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2003 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 82 ft (25 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Rock Creek Road over East Fork Mill Creek?

It is owned by the State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency.