US Bridges

El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek

Fair

Mariposa County, California · 4.9 Miles East from El Po · Structure no. 8800011P0000000

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
20 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,080
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek is a concrete continuous culvert carrying El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek in Mariposa County, California. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger 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 2,080 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,496 by 2042. The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesEl Portal Road
CrossesWildcat Creek
Location4.9 Miles East from El Po
RouteFederal Lands Road 16
CountyMariposa County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.72231, -119.7147
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating75.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length20 ft (6.1 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,080 (2022)
Projected traffic2,496 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed49.7 mi (80 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$86,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is El Portal Road over Wildcat 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek carry?

About 2,080 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek?

The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns El Portal Road over Wildcat Creek?

It is owned by the National Park Service.