US Bridges

State Park Road over Little River

Fair

Mendocino County, California · Van Damme State Park · Structure no. 10P0003

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
38 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
25
1998 count
Owner
State
State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

About this bridge

State Park Road over Little River is a steel arch - deck carrying State Park Road over Little River in Mendocino County, California. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 25 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 28 by 2041. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesState Park Road
CrossesLittle River
LocationVan Damme State Park
RouteState Lands Road 0
CountyMendocino County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates39.27714, -123.78277
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
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (1998)
Projected traffic28 by 2041
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

OwnerState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Maintained byState Park, Forest, or Reservation 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 Park Road over Little River built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is State Park Road over Little 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does State Park Road over Little River carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is State Park Road over Little River?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns State Park Road over Little River?

It is owned by the State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency.