US Bridges

Foresta Road over Merced River

Fair

Mariposa County, California · MP 48.2 on HWY "140" the · Structure no. 8800028P0000000

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
192 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,080
2022 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Foresta Road over Merced River is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Foresta Road over Merced River in Mariposa County, California. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 5 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 192 ft (58.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForesta Road
CrossesMerced River
LocationMP 48.2 on HWY "140" the
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountyMariposa County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.66933, -119.81703
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length192 ft (58.5 m)
Longest span77 ft (23.5 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 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 closed123.7 mi (199 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$6,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Foresta Road over Merced River built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Foresta 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 Foresta Road over Merced River carry?

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

How long is Foresta Road over Merced River?

The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long with a longest span of 77 ft (23.5 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Foresta Road over Merced River?

It is owned by the National Park Service.