US Bridges

Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.5 MI S of SR 152 · Structure no. 39C0271

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
25 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,610
2000 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 1,610 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,864 by 2042. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesPalm Avenue
CrossesSan Juan Canal
Location0.5 MI S of SR 152
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.03886, -120.61744
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width39 ft (12 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,610 (2000)
Projected traffic1,864 by 2042
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 Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Palm Avenue over San Juan 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 2024.

How much traffic does Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal carry?

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

How long is Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns Palm Avenue over San Juan Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.