US Bridges

Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

San Diego County, California · 3.5 MI S/O Route I-8 · Structure no. 57C0270

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
445 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
4,300
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek in San Diego County, California. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 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 4,300 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,531 by 2045. The structure is 445 ft (135.6 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 15.5 mi (25 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBuckman Springs RD
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location3.5 MI S/O Route I-8
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySan Diego County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates32.71538, -116.49944
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating33.6 US tons
Inventory rating25.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10
Design loadH 15
Structure length445 ft (135.6 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,300 (2023)
Projected traffic4,531 by 2045
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed15.5 mi (25 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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 Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 4,300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 445 ft (135.6 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Buckman Springs RD over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.