US Bridges

US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek

Fair

Santa Barbara County, California · 05-SB-101-9.56 · Structure no. 51 0047

Built
1915
110 years old, rebuilt 1959
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
76,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek in Santa Barbara County, California. It was built in 1915 and reconstructed in 1959, so it is 110 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 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 76,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 107,011 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 106 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesUS Highway 101
CrossesSan Ysidro Creek
Location05-SB-101-9.56
RouteU.S. Route 101
Coordinates34.42098, -119.62372
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50.7 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width106 ft (32.2 m)
Roadway width79 ft (24 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic76,000 (2022)
Projected traffic107,011 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1959.

What condition is US Highway 101 over San Ysidro 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 2024.

How much traffic does US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek carry?

About 76,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 106 ft wide.

Who owns US Highway 101 over San Ysidro Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.