US Bridges

38th Street over Rivo Alto

Fair

Orange County, California · 0.1 Mi. Ne/O Balboa Blvd. · Structure no. 55C0261

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
88 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
3,200
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

38th Street over Rivo Alto is a concrete slab carrying 38th Street over Rivo Alto in Orange County, California. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 3,200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,000 by 2040. The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries38th Street
CrossesRivo Alto
Location0.1 Mi. Ne/O Balboa Blvd.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOrange County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates33.61827, -117.93425
Functional classUrban Local

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating80.7 US tons
Inventory rating48.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length88 ft (26.8 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,200 (2020)
Projected traffic4,000 by 2040
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was 38th Street over Rivo Alto built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is 38th Street over Rivo Alto 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does 38th Street over Rivo Alto carry?

About 3,200 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 38th Street over Rivo Alto?

The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns 38th Street over Rivo Alto?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.