US Bridges

Pepper Street over High Line Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · East Avenue · Structure no. 39C0308

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
21 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
50
1980 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pepper Street over High Line Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Pepper Street over High Line Canal in Merced County, California. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 85 by 2047. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesPepper Street
CrossesHigh Line Canal
LocationEast Avenue
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates37.49184, -120.72142
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1980)
Projected traffic85 by 2047
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 Pepper Street over High Line Canal built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pepper Street over High Line 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Pepper Street over High Line Canal carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is Pepper Street over High Line Canal?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Pepper Street over High Line Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.