US Bridges

Bonner Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.8 MI N Bear Creek Road · Structure no. 39C0187

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
133 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
38
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bonner Road over Bear Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Bonner Road over Bear Creek in Merced County, California. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 38 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2041. The structure is 133 ft (40.5 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBonner Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.8 MI N Bear Creek Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.33686, -120.31091
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating41.8 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length133 ft (40.5 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic38 (2018)
Projected traffic30 by 2041
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 Bonner Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bonner Road over Bear 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Bonner Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 38 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Bonner Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 133 ft (40.5 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Bonner Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.