US Bridges

Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15

Fair

San Diego County, California · 11-SD-015-R47.17 · Structure no. 57 0873

Built
1981
44 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
279 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15 is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15 in San Diego County, California. It was built in 1981, so it is 44 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 1 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1 by 2045. The structure is 279 ft (85 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPala Mesa Drive
CrossesRoute 15
Location11-SD-015-R47.17
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySan Diego County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates33.34122, -117.15958
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length279 ft (85 m)
Longest span142 ft (43.3 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1 (2020)
Projected traffic1 by 2045
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15 built?

It was built in 1981, making it 44 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15 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 2024.

How much traffic does Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15 carry?

About 1 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15?

The structure is 279 ft (85 m) long with a longest span of 142 ft (43.3 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns Pala Mesa Drive over Route 15?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.