US Bridges

Buhach Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.3 MI S Brooks Road · Structure no. 39C0282

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
127 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
332
2008 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Buhach Road over Bear Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Buhach Road over Bear Creek in Merced County, California. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 332 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,328 by 2044. The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBuhach Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.3 MI S Brooks Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.29111, -120.57792
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33.6 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadUnknown
Structure length127 ft (38.7 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic332 (2008)
Projected traffic1,328 by 2044
Trucks13%
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 Buhach Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is Buhach Road over Bear Creek 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Buhach Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 332 vehicles per day (2008 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is Buhach Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Buhach Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.