US Bridges

Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR

Poor

San Francisco County, California · 0.2 MI West of 3rd Street · Structure no. 34C0001

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
85 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
10,200
2016 count
Owner
Railroad
Railroad

About this bridge

Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR in San Francisco County, California. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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.

It carries about 10,200 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,260 by 2043. The structure is 85 ft (25.8 m) long and 58 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesWilliams Avenue
CrossesCaltrain & UP RR
Location0.2 MI West of 3rd Street
RouteCity Street 0
CountySan Francisco County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.72969, -122.39617
Functional classUrban 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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating74.3 US tons
Inventory rating48.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length85 ft (25.8 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.2 m)
Deck width58 ft (17.8 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,200 (2016)
Projected traffic8,260 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerRailroad
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$767,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR carry?

About 10,200 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR?

The structure is 85 ft (25.8 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.2 m) and a deck 58 ft wide.

Who owns Williams Avenue over Caltrain & UP RR?

It is owned by the Railroad and maintained by the County Highway Agency.