US Bridges

Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · At Thornton Avenue · Structure no. 39C0162

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2005 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1935, 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 943 by 2046. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesWardrobe Avenue
CrossesEl Capitan Canal
LocationAt Thornton Avenue
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.29544, -120.52355
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2005)
Projected traffic943 by 2046
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal built?

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

What condition is Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan 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 2024.

How much traffic does Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2005 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Wardrobe Avenue over El Capitan Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.