US Bridges

Center Access Road over Mud Slough

Fair

Merced County, California · Refuge Access RD/PRK.LOT3 · Structure no. 000011651-00163

Built
1990
35 years old, rebuilt 2001
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
85 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2024 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Fish and Wildlife

About this bridge

Center Access Road over Mud Slough is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Center Access Road over Mud Slough in Merced County, California. It was built in 1990 and reconstructed in 2001, so it is 35 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 10 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2044. The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesCenter Access Road
CrossesMud Slough
LocationRefuge Access RD/PRK.LOT3
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.26367, -120.90617
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating20 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length85 ft (25.9 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck107 ft (32.7 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2024)
Projected traffic15 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Fish and Wildlife
Maintained byBureau of Fish and Wildlife
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 Center Access Road over Mud Slough built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2001.

What condition is Center Access Road over Mud Slough 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Center Access Road over Mud Slough carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2024 count).

How long is Center Access Road over Mud Slough?

The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Center Access Road over Mud Slough?

It is owned by the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife.