US Bridges

Watts Valley Road over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Fresno County, California · 1.1 MI E of Riverbend · Structure no. 42C0312

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
86 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2010 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watts Valley Road over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Watts Valley Road 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 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 665 by 2044. The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.7 mi (35 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWatts Valley Road
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location1.1 MI E of Riverbend
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFresno County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.80223, -119.50015
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating13.2 US tons
Inventory rating8.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length86 ft (26.2 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2010)
Projected traffic665 by 2044
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed21.7 mi (35 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 Watts Valley Road over Friant-Kern Canal built?

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

What condition is Watts Valley Road 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Watts Valley Road over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Watts Valley Road over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Watts Valley Road over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.