US Bridges

Valley Loop Road over Merced River

Fair

Mariposa County, California · 14.2 Miles East from El P · Structure no. 8800005P0000000

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
127 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,416
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Valley Loop Road over Merced River is a concrete arch - deck carrying Valley Loop Road over Merced River in Mariposa County, California. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 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 3,416 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,099 by 2042. The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesValley Loop Road
CrossesMerced River
Location14.2 Miles East from El P
RouteFederal Lands Road 500
Coordinates37.74039, -119.57366
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length127 ft (38.7 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,416 (2022)
Projected traffic4,099 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$45,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Valley Loop Road over Merced River built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is Valley Loop Road over Merced River 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Valley Loop Road over Merced River carry?

About 3,416 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Valley Loop Road over Merced River?

The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns Valley Loop Road over Merced River?

It is owned by the National Park Service.