US Bridges

Snelling Road over Main Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · 1 MI N LA Paloma Road · Structure no. 39C0066

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1971
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
76 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,451
2000 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Snelling Road over Main Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Snelling Road over Main Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1971, so it is 90 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 1,451 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,224 by 2047. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

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CarriesSnelling Road
CrossesMain Canal
Location1 MI N LA Paloma Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.41061, -120.45177
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
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating30.3 US tons
Inventory rating18.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,451 (2000)
Projected traffic2,224 by 2047
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 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 Snelling Road over Main Canal built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1971.

What condition is Snelling Road over Main Canal 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 2025.

How much traffic does Snelling Road over Main Canal carry?

About 1,451 vehicles per day (2000 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Snelling Road over Main Canal?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Snelling Road over Main Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.