US Bridges

S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Fresno County, California · 0.85 MI N/O American Ave · Structure no. 42C0251

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
163 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,000
2006 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal in Fresno County, California. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,765 by 2043. The structure is 163 ft (49.7 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesS Cove Ave
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.85 MI N/O American Ave
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFresno County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.67318, -119.34956
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating16.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length163 ft (49.7 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2006)
Projected traffic1,765 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2006 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 163 ft (49.7 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns S Cove Ave over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.