US Bridges

Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.12 MI NW of Avenue Two · Structure no. 39C0024

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
93 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10,676
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek in Merced County, California. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 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 10,676 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,576 by 2042. The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long and 79 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSanta Fe Drive
CrossesCanal Creek
Location0.12 MI NW of Avenue Two
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.35084, -120.55751
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating93.9 US tons
Inventory rating56.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length93 ft (28.3 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width79 ft (24.2 m)
Roadway width76 ft (23.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,676 (2014)
Projected traffic18,576 by 2042
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Santa Fe Drive over Canal 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek carry?

About 10,676 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek?

The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 79 ft wide.

Who owns Santa Fe Drive over Canal Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.