US Bridges

State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek

Fair

San Diego County, California · 11-SD-079-36.52 · Structure no. 57 0065

Built
1948
77 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
166 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
1,700
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek in San Diego County, California. It was built in 1948, so it is 77 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 1,700 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,200 by 2045. The structure is 166 ft (50.6 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 44.7 mi (72 km).

CarriesState Route 79
CrossesAgua Caliente Creek
Location11-SD-079-36.52
RouteState Highway 79
Coordinates33.28865, -116.65362
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating34.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadH 20
Structure length166 ft (50.6 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,700 (2020)
Projected traffic3,200 by 2045
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed44.7 mi (72 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025.

What condition is State Route 79 over Agua Caliente 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek carry?

About 1,700 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek?

The structure is 166 ft (50.6 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns State Route 79 over Agua Caliente Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.