US Bridges

Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.2 MI North of Shaw Ave · Structure no. 39C0205

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
22 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
200
1990 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 534 by 2047. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesBuhach Road
CrossesEscaladian Canal
Location0.2 MI North of Shaw Ave
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.42879, -120.57591
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior 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 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1990)
Projected traffic534 by 2047
Trucks3%
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

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 Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is Buhach Road over Escaladian 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 Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1990 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Buhach Road over Escaladian Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.