US Bridges

Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek

Fair

San Mateo County, California · South of Tilton · Structure no. 35C0144

Built
1902
123 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
230
2019 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek in San Mateo County, California. It was built in 1902, so it is 123 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 230 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 429 by 2041. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRailroad Ave
CrossesSan Mateo Creek
LocationSouth of Tilton
RouteCity Street 0
CountySan Mateo County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.56897, -122.32458
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
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating28.5 US tons
Inventory rating17.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic230 (2019)
Projected traffic429 by 2041
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek built?

It was built in 1902, making it 123 years old in 2025.

What condition is Railroad Ave over San Mateo 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek carry?

About 230 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Railroad Ave over San Mateo Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.