US Bridges

Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · Barcellos Road · Structure no. 39C0270

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2022
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
74 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,610
2000 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1976, so it is 49 years old, younger 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 6 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 1,610 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,856 by 2040. The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesPalm Avenue
CrossesArroyo Canal
LocationBarcellos Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.03271, -120.61747
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to 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 rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length74 ft (22.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,610 (2000)
Projected traffic1,856 by 2040
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025.

What condition is Palm Avenue over Arroyo 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 November 2022.

How much traffic does Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal carry?

About 1,610 vehicles per day (2000 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal?

The structure is 74 ft (22.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Palm Avenue over Arroyo Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.