US Bridges

Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Madera County, California · 0.25 MI S Ave 9 · Structure no. 41C0114

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
189
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek in Madera County, California. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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 189 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 247 by 2042. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesRoad 21
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location0.25 MI S Ave 9
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMadera County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.87668, -120.16486
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating32.2 US tons
Inventory rating21.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic189 (2020)
Projected traffic247 by 2042
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road 21 over Cottonwood 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 189 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Road 21 over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.