US Bridges

Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal

Fair

Kern County, California · East of H Street · Structure no. 50C0149

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
30 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,133
2010 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal in Kern County, California. It was built in 1950, 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 4,133 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,319 by 2043. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 76 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesBelle Terrace Way
CrossesKern Island Canal
LocationEast of H Street
RouteCity Street 0
CountyKern County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates35.34661, -119.02076
Functional classUrban 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span9 ft (2.7 m)
Deck width76 ft (23.2 m)
Roadway width67 ft (20.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,133 (2010)
Projected traffic12,319 by 2043
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal built?

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

What condition is Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal carry?

About 4,133 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 9 ft (2.7 m) and a deck 76 ft wide.

Who owns Belle Terrace Way over Kern Island Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.