US Bridges

Lake RD over Fairfield Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.5 MI N Bellevue RD · Structure no. 39C0180

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
57 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
231
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake RD over Fairfield Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Lake RD over Fairfield Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 231 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 265 by 2047. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesLake RD
CrossesFairfield Canal
Location0.5 MI N Bellevue RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.36811, -120.432
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.3 US tons
Inventory rating24.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic231 (2018)
Projected traffic265 by 2047
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Lake RD over Fairfield Canal built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lake RD over Fairfield 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 Lake RD over Fairfield Canal carry?

About 231 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is Lake RD over Fairfield Canal?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns Lake RD over Fairfield Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.