US Bridges

Charleston Road over Outside Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.5 MI E of S.H. 165 · Structure no. 39C0111

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
80 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
120
1990 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Charleston Road over Outside Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Charleston Road over Outside Canal 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 120 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 342 by 2045. The structure is 80 ft (24.5 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

CarriesCharleston Road
CrossesOutside Canal
Location0.5 MI E of S.H. 165
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates36.98384, -120.82731
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
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length80 ft (24.5 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic120 (1990)
Projected traffic342 by 2045
Trucks5%
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 Charleston Road over Outside Canal built?

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

What condition is Charleston Road over Outside 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Charleston Road over Outside Canal carry?

About 120 vehicles per day (1990 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Charleston Road over Outside Canal?

The structure is 80 ft (24.5 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Charleston Road over Outside Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.