US Bridges

Panoche Road over San Luis Canal

Good

Fresno County, California · 2 MI East of Fairfax · Structure no. 42C0245

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Good
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
223 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,000
2017 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Reclamation

About this bridge

Panoche Road over San Luis Canal is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Panoche Road over San Luis Canal in Fresno County, California. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,200 by 2038. The structure is 223 ft (68 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 31.1 mi (50 km).

CarriesPanoche Road
CrossesSan Luis Canal
Location2 MI East of Fairfax
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
Coordinates36.6721, -120.5376
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.9 US tons
Inventory rating49.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length223 ft (68 m)
Longest span71 ft (21.6 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2017)
Projected traffic1,200 by 2038
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed31.1 mi (50 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Reclamation
Maintained byOther State 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 Panoche Road over San Luis Canal built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Panoche Road over San Luis Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does Panoche Road over San Luis Canal carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2017 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Panoche Road over San Luis Canal?

The structure is 223 ft (68 m) long with a longest span of 71 ft (21.6 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Panoche Road over San Luis Canal?

It is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and maintained by the Other State Agency.