US Bridges

Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal

Good

Merced County, California · 0.3 MI SW of SR 152 · Structure no. 39C0257

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Good
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
265 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2014 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Reclamation

About this bridge

Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 230 by 2038. The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

CarriesBilly Wright Road
CrossesSan Luis Canal
Location0.3 MI SW of SR 152
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates37.051, -120.95566
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
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 rating66.8 US tons
Inventory rating51.5 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length265 ft (80.8 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2014)
Projected traffic230 by 2038
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Reclamation
Maintained byOther State 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 Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in June 2024.

How much traffic does Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal?

The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Billy Wright Road over San Luis Canal?

It is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and maintained by the Other State Agency.