US Bridges

Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal

Fair

Fresno County, California · At Fairfax Ave · Structure no. 42C0395

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
54 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
475
2010 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal in Fresno County, California. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 475 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 631 by 2040. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesMerrill Ave
CrossesColony Main Canal
LocationAt Fairfax Ave
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFresno County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.9525, -120.56255
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating62.5 US tons
Inventory rating37.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic475 (2010)
Projected traffic631 by 2040
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Merrill Ave over Colony Main 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 2023.

How much traffic does Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal carry?

About 475 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Merrill Ave over Colony Main Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.