US Bridges

Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek

Fair

San Luis Obispo County, California · West of SH 46 · Structure no. 49C0073

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
138 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
112
2008 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek in San Luis Obispo County, California. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 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 112 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 314 by 2041. The structure is 138 ft (42.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.2 mi (39 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBitterwater Road
CrossesCholame Creek
LocationWest of SH 46
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySan Luis Obispo County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates35.70981, -120.3051
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating63.2 US tons
Inventory rating48.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length138 ft (42.1 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic112 (2008)
Projected traffic314 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.2 mi (39 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 Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bitterwater Road over Cholame 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 2023.

How much traffic does Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek carry?

About 112 vehicles per day (2008 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek?

The structure is 138 ft (42.1 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Bitterwater Road over Cholame Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.