US Bridges

Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel

Poor

Orange County, California · 0.1 Mi. W/O Route 57 Fwy · Structure no. 55C0050

Built
1966
59 years old, rebuilt 1981
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
349 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
17,200
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel in Orange County, California. It was built in 1966 and reconstructed in 1981, so it is 59 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 17,200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 42,896 by 2043. The structure is 349 ft (106.4 m) long and 71 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesOrangewood Avenue
CrossesSanta Ana River Channel
Location0.1 Mi. W/O Route 57 Fwy
RouteCity Street 0
Coordinates33.79566, -117.87991
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 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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating28.5 US tons
Inventory rating19.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadUnknown
Structure length349 ft (106.4 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width71 ft (21.6 m)
Roadway width64 ft (19.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic17,200 (2021)
Projected traffic42,896 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$3.9 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1981.

What condition is Orangewood Avenue 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 Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel carry?

About 17,200 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel?

The structure is 349 ft (106.4 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 71 ft wide.

Who owns Orangewood Avenue over Santa Ana River Channel?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.