US Bridges

Park Avenue over Waters Way

Poor

Orange County, California · Park Ave. at Collins Isle · Structure no. 55C0265

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Park Avenue over Waters Way is a concrete slab carrying Park Avenue over Waters Way in Orange County, California. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 209 by 2040. The structure is 22 ft (6.6 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 61.5 mi (99 km).

Location

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CarriesPark Avenue
CrossesWaters Way
LocationPark Ave. at Collins Isle
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOrange County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates33.60833, -117.90006
Functional classUrban Local

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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating25.7 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length22 ft (6.6 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.3 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2020)
Projected traffic209 by 2040
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed61.5 mi (99 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$146,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Park Avenue over Waters Way built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Park Avenue over Waters Way 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Park Avenue over Waters Way carry?

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

How long is Park Avenue over Waters Way?

The structure is 22 ft (6.6 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.3 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Park Avenue over Waters Way?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.