US Bridges

Bunker Road over Outside Canal

Poor

Merced County, California · 0.3 MI W of SR 33 · Structure no. 39C0213

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
60 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
93
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bunker Road over Outside Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Bunker Road over Outside Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 93 vehicles a day, roughly 26% of them trucks, projected to reach 212 by 2047. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBunker Road
CrossesOutside Canal
Location0.3 MI W of SR 33
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.17329, -121.01873
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
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 rating9.6 US tons
Inventory rating7.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic93 (2014)
Projected traffic212 by 2047
Trucks26%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$510,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bunker Road over Outside Canal built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bunker Road over Outside Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in February 2025.

How much traffic does Bunker Road over Outside Canal carry?

About 93 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 26% are trucks.

How long is Bunker Road over Outside Canal?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Bunker Road over Outside Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.