US Bridges

N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal

Fair

Fresno County, California · 0.01 MI North of Barstow · Structure no. 42C0384

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
29 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
320
2010 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal in Fresno County, California. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 320 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 367 by 2043. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesN Dower Ave
CrossesHerndon Canal
Location0.01 MI North of Barstow
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFresno County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.81509, -119.9794
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36.8 US tons
Inventory rating22.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 10
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic320 (2010)
Projected traffic367 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway 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 N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is N Dower Ave over Herndon 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 N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal carry?

About 320 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns N Dower Ave over Herndon Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.