US Bridges

State Route 162 over Eel River

Good

Mendocino County, California · 01-MEN-162-8.25 · Structure no. 10 0236

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1994
Condition
Good
inspected May 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete Continuous
Length
320 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
860
2009 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Route 162 over Eel River is a concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying State Route 162 over Eel River in Mendocino County, California. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1994, so it is 87 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 860 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,274 by 2045. The structure is 320 ft (97.5 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 23 mi (37 km).

CarriesState Route 162
CrossesEel River
Location01-MEN-162-8.25
RouteState Highway 162
Coordinates39.62596, -123.34513
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating62.5 US tons
Inventory rating37.5 US tons

Structure

MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length320 ft (97.5 m)
Longest span95 ft (29 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic860 (2009)
Projected traffic1,274 by 2045
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed23 mi (37 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 State Route 162 over Eel River built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1994.

What condition is State Route 162 over Eel River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does State Route 162 over Eel River carry?

About 860 vehicles per day (2009 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is State Route 162 over Eel River?

The structure is 320 ft (97.5 m) long with a longest span of 95 ft (29 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns State Route 162 over Eel River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.