US Bridges

State Route 55 over Santiago Creek

Fair

Orange County, California · 12-ORA-055-13.42-ORA · Structure no. 55 0033

Built
1962
63 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete Continuous
Length
366 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
248,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Route 55 over Santiago Creek is a concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying State Route 55 over Santiago Creek in Orange County, California. It was built in 1962 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 63 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 248,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 285,000 by 2042. The structure is 366 ft (111.7 m) long and 204 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesState Route 55
CrossesSantiago Creek
Location12-ORA-055-13.42-ORA
RouteState Highway 55
Coordinates33.78388, -117.83073
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating90.4 US tons
Inventory rating54.2 US tons

Structure

MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length366 ft (111.7 m)
Longest span85 ft (25.8 m)
Deck width204 ft (62.2 m)
Roadway width198 ft (60.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic248,000 (2020)
Projected traffic285,000 by 2042
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure13
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 State Route 55 over Santiago Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is State Route 55 over Santiago 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does State Route 55 over Santiago Creek carry?

About 248,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is State Route 55 over Santiago Creek?

The structure is 366 ft (111.7 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.8 m) and a deck 204 ft wide.

Who owns State Route 55 over Santiago Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.