US Bridges

Kibby Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Merced County, California · 0.4 MI S of E. Olive Ave · Structure no. 39C0350

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
163 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,442
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Kibby Road over Bear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Kibby Road over Bear Creek in Merced County, California. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 years old, younger 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 1,442 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 774 by 2041. The structure is 163 ft (49.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesKibby Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.4 MI S of E. Olive Ave
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMerced County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.31198, -120.41492
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being 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 rating32.8 US tons
Inventory rating25.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length163 ft (49.7 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,442 (2019)
Projected traffic774 by 2041
Trucks5%
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 Kibby Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Kibby 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Kibby Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 1,442 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Kibby Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 163 ft (49.7 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Kibby Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.