US Bridges

Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal

Poor

Merced County, California · 0.25 MI E of Elgin Ave · Structure no. 39C0273

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
31 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
327
2008 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 327 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 772 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSanta Rita Grade
CrossesSan Juan Canal
Location0.25 MI E of Elgin Ave
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.0543, -120.63092
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 rating28.9 US tons
Inventory rating20.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic327 (2008)
Projected traffic772 by 2042
Trucks14%
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$266,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Santa Rita Grade over San Juan 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal carry?

About 327 vehicles per day (2008 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Santa Rita Grade over San Juan Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.