US Bridges

Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough

Poor

Madera County, California · 0.36 MI N of Ave 27 · Structure no. 41C0036

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
404 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
259
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough is a concrete continuous slab carrying Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough in Madera County, California. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 259 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 764 by 2041. The structure is 404 ft (123.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

CarriesSanta Fe Blvd
CrossesAsh Slough
Location0.36 MI N of Ave 27
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates37.14626, -120.1639
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating38.3 US tons
Inventory rating27.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10
Design loadHS 20
Structure length404 ft (123.1 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic259 (2020)
Projected traffic764 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.7 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2023.

How much traffic does Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough carry?

About 259 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough?

The structure is 404 ft (123.1 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Santa Fe Blvd over Ash Slough?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.