US Bridges

Airport Road over Sandy Creek

Fair

Kern County, California · 0.65 MI NE of SR 119 · Structure no. 50C0193

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
43 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
550
2007 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Airport Road over Sandy Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Airport Road over Sandy Creek in Kern County, California. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 5 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 550 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 780 by 2041. The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAirport Road
CrossesSandy Creek
Location0.65 MI NE of SR 119
RouteCity Street 0
CountyKern County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates35.14605, -119.43911
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67.5 US tons
Inventory rating40.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length43 ft (13.1 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic550 (2007)
Projected traffic780 by 2041
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
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 Airport Road over Sandy Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Airport Road over Sandy Creek 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 Airport Road over Sandy Creek carry?

About 550 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Airport Road over Sandy Creek?

The structure is 43 ft (13.1 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Airport Road over Sandy Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.