US Bridges

Cummings Road over Paleta Creek

Fair

San Diego County, California · Adjacent to Gate #9 · Structure no. 1CA0484

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
86 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
4,000
2015 count
Owner
Federal
Navy / Marines

About this bridge

Cummings Road over Paleta Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Cummings Road over Paleta Creek in San Diego County, California. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 years old, older 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 6 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 4,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,400 by 2042. The structure is 86 ft (26.3 m) long and 54 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesCummings Road
CrossesPaleta Creek
LocationAdjacent to Gate #9
CountySan Diego County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates32.67447, -117.11555
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating82.1 US tons
Inventory rating49.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length86 ft (26.3 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.7 m)
Deck width54 ft (16.6 m)
Roadway width45 ft (13.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,000 (2015)
Projected traffic4,400 by 2042
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNavy / Marines
Maintained byNavy / Marines
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$86,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cummings Road over Paleta Creek built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cummings Road over Paleta Creek 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 Cummings Road over Paleta Creek carry?

About 4,000 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Cummings Road over Paleta Creek?

The structure is 86 ft (26.3 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.7 m) and a deck 54 ft wide.

Who owns Cummings Road over Paleta Creek?

It is owned by the Navy / Marines.