US Bridges

9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Kern County, California · 0.6 MI East of Zachary Av · Structure no. 50C0265

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
81 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
390
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying 9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal in Kern County, California. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 390 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 544 by 2046. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries9th Ave
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.6 MI East of Zachary Av
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKern County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates35.76869, -119.17695
Functional classRural 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
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 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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating23.6 US tons
Inventory rating18.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic390 (2007)
Projected traffic544 by 2046
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is 9th Ave 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 9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 390 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is 9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns 9th Ave over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.