US Bridges

Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal

Fair

Kern County, California · 0.1 MI N Terrace Way · Structure no. 50C0248

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
51 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,015
2013 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal in Kern County, California. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 1,015 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,331 by 2045. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesVernal Place
CrossesKern Island Canal
Location0.1 MI N Terrace Way
RouteCity Street 0
CountyKern County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates35.35187, -119.01683
Functional classUrban 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width39 ft (11.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,015 (2013)
Projected traffic1,331 by 2045
Trucks2%
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 Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is Vernal Place 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal carry?

About 1,015 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns Vernal Place over Kern Island Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.