US Bridges

Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch

Poor

San Bernardino County, California · 4.1 MI E of Amboy RD · Structure no. 54C0281

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1953
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
79 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
806
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch in San Bernardino County, California. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1953, so it is 95 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. Its operating status is: open, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring.

It carries about 806 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 962 by 2041. The structure is 79 ft (24.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 39.8 mi (64 km).

CarriesNat Trails HWY
CrossesSombra Ditch
Location4.1 MI E of Amboy RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates34.55936, -115.68565
Functional classRural Major Collector

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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating20 US tons
Inventory rating10.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialWood or Timber
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadUnknown
Structure length79 ft (24.2 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic806 (2020)
Projected traffic962 by 2041
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed39.8 mi (64 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$803,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1953.

What condition is Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch carry?

About 806 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch?

The structure is 79 ft (24.2 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Nat Trails HWY over Sombra Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.