US Bridges

Santa Fe Drive over Merced River

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.5 MI S El Capitan Way · Structure no. 39C0052

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete Continuous
Length
302 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,297
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Santa Fe Drive over Merced River is a concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying Santa Fe Drive over Merced River in Merced County, California. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 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 7,297 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,789 by 2041. The structure is 302 ft (92.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSanta Fe Drive
CrossesMerced River
Location0.5 MI S El Capitan Way
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.42663, -120.67319
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54.7 US tons
Inventory rating42.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length302 ft (92.2 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,297 (2018)
Projected traffic8,789 by 2041
Trucks14%
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

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 Merced River built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Santa Fe Drive over Merced 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Santa Fe Drive over Merced River carry?

About 7,297 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Santa Fe Drive over Merced River?

The structure is 302 ft (92.2 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Santa Fe Drive over Merced River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.