US Bridges

Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota Canal

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.2 MI W of SR 165 · Structure no. 39C0345

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
111 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
181
2008 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota 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 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 181 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 365 by 2045. The structure is 111 ft (33.7 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCharleston Road
CrossesDelta-Mendota Canal
Location0.2 MI W of SR 165
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.98389, -120.84297
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
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 protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating25.4 US tons
Inventory rating17.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length111 ft (33.7 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.3 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic181 (2008)
Projected traffic365 by 2045
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota Canal built?

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

What condition is Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota Canal carry?

About 181 vehicles per day (2008 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota Canal?

The structure is 111 ft (33.7 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.3 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Charleston Road over Delta-Mendota Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.