US Bridges

Usal Road over Usal Creek

Fair

Mendocino County, California · 5.9 MI N JCT SR 1 · Structure no. 10C0139

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
203 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
24
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Usal Road over Usal Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Usal Road over Usal Creek in Mendocino County, California. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 24 vehicles a day, projected to reach 11 by 2041. The structure is 203 ft (61.9 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 88.2 mi (142 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUsal Road
CrossesUsal Creek
Location5.9 MI N JCT SR 1
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMendocino County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates39.83419, -123.84364
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating21.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2 (+6 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length203 ft (61.9 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic24 (2014)
Projected traffic11 by 2041
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed88.2 mi (142 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 Usal Road over Usal Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Usal Road over Usal 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Usal Road over Usal Creek carry?

About 24 vehicles per day (2014 count).

How long is Usal Road over Usal Creek?

The structure is 203 ft (61.9 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Usal Road over Usal Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.