US Bridges

Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel

Poor

Orange County, California · 0.1 Mi. E/O City Drive · Structure no. 55C0046

Built
1936
89 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
611 ft
15 main spans
Daily traffic
18,900
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel in Orange County, California. It was built in 1936 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 89 years old, older than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 18,900 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 45,191 by 2043. The structure is 611 ft (186.2 m) long and 92 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesMemory Lane
CrossesSanta Ana River Channel
Location0.1 Mi. E/O City Drive
RouteCity Street 0
Coordinates33.77396, -117.8899
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating16.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans15
Design loadUnknown
Structure length611 ft (186.2 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width92 ft (28 m)
Roadway width76 ft (23.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic18,900 (2021)
Projected traffic45,191 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$8.8 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2023.

How much traffic does Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel carry?

About 18,900 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel?

The structure is 611 ft (186.2 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 92 ft wide.

Who owns Memory Lane over Santa Ana River Channel?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.