US Bridges

El Camino Real over State Route 261

Fair

Orange County, California · 12-ORA-261-0.90-IRVN · Structure no. 55 1021

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
252 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
10,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

El Camino Real over State Route 261 is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying El Camino Real 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 10,000 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,035 by 2043. The structure is 252 ft (76.8 m) long and 86 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

CarriesEl Camino Real
CrossesState Route 261
Location12-ORA-261-0.90-IRVN
RouteCity Street 0
Coordinates33.72063, -117.79002
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating70 US tons
Inventory rating47.8 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length252 ft (76.8 m)
Longest span130 ft (39.6 m)
Deck width86 ft (26.2 m)
Roadway width74 ft (22.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,000 (2020)
Projected traffic12,035 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 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 El Camino Real over State Route 261 built?

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

What condition is El Camino Real 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 El Camino Real over State Route 261 carry?

About 10,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is El Camino Real over State Route 261?

The structure is 252 ft (76.8 m) long with a longest span of 130 ft (39.6 m) and a deck 86 ft wide.

Who owns El Camino Real over State Route 261?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.