US Bridges

Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek

GoodClosed to traffic

Monterey County, California · 5.2 MI SE SH 1 · Structure no. 44C0163

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Good
inspected September 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
680
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek in Monterey County, California. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 680 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 841 by 2040. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

CarriesPalo Colorado Road
CrossesTurner Creek
Location5.2 MI SE SH 1
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates36.37339, -121.83705
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating24.7 US tons
Inventory rating14.7 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic680 (2016)
Projected traffic841 by 2040
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek carry?

About 680 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Palo Colorado Road over Turner Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.