US Bridges

Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Kern County, California · 0.3 MI East of Zachary Av · Structure no. 50C0130

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1989
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
81 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
660
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal in Kern County, California. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1989, so it is 75 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 660 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 657 by 2046. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesPond RD
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.3 MI East of Zachary Av
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKern County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates35.71786, -119.18241
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating21.4 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.3 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.3 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic660 (2007)
Projected traffic657 by 2046
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1989.

What condition is Pond RD 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 660 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.3 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns Pond RD over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.