US Bridges

Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.9 MI W Ortigalita RD · Structure no. 39C0081

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
119 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,960
2000 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek in Merced County, California. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 1,960 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,735 by 2043. The structure is 119 ft (36.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesSunset Avenue
CrossesLos Banos Creek
Location0.9 MI W Ortigalita RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.02757, -120.88982
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58.2 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length119 ft (36.3 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 traffic1,960 (2000)
Projected traffic2,735 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sunset Avenue over Los Banos 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek carry?

About 1,960 vehicles per day (2000 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek?

The structure is 119 ft (36.3 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Sunset Avenue over Los Banos Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.