US Bridges

Walnut Avenue over State Route 261

Fair

Orange County, California · 12-ORA-261-0.01-IRVN · Structure no. 55 0897

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
274 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
5,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Walnut Avenue over State Route 261 is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying Walnut Avenue over State Route 261 in Orange County, California. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 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 5,000 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,017 by 2043. The structure is 274 ft (83.5 m) long and 148 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesWalnut Avenue
CrossesState Route 261
Location12-ORA-261-0.01-IRVN
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOrange County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates33.71175, -117.80136
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length274 ft (83.5 m)
Longest span142 ft (43.3 m)
Deck width148 ft (45.1 m)
Roadway width136 ft (41.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,000 (2020)
Projected traffic6,017 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure8
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Walnut Avenue over State Route 261 built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is Walnut Avenue over State Route 261 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 2023.

How much traffic does Walnut Avenue over State Route 261 carry?

About 5,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Walnut Avenue over State Route 261?

The structure is 274 ft (83.5 m) long with a longest span of 142 ft (43.3 m) and a deck 148 ft wide.

Who owns Walnut Avenue over State Route 261?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.