US Bridges

Avenue One over Canal Creek

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.4 MI E Buhach Road · Structure no. 39C0158

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
51 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,500
1980 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Avenue One over Canal Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Avenue One over Canal Creek in Merced County, California. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 1,500 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,641 by 2042. The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAvenue One
CrossesCanal Creek
Location0.4 MI E Buhach Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.34228, -120.57092
Functional classUrban 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 inspectionJanuary 2024
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 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 rating72.1 US tons
Inventory rating55.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length51 ft (15.5 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,500 (1980)
Projected traffic1,641 by 2042
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Avenue One over Canal Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Avenue One 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 Avenue One over Canal Creek carry?

About 1,500 vehicles per day (1980 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Avenue One over Canal Creek?

The structure is 51 ft (15.5 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Avenue One over Canal Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.