US Bridges

Park Road over Gaviota Creek

Fair

Santa Barbara County, California · Gaviota State Park · Structure no. 51P0007

Built
1909
116 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
73 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2012 count
Owner
State
State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

About this bridge

Park Road over Gaviota Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Park Road over Gaviota Creek in Santa Barbara County, California. It was built in 1909, so it is 116 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 5 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 10 by 2042. The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPark Road
CrossesGaviota Creek
LocationGaviota State Park
RouteState Lands Road 0
CountySanta Barbara County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates34.50775, -120.22742
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating53.2 US tons
Inventory rating31.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length73 ft (22.3 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.7 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck13 ft (4 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2012)
Projected traffic10 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Maintained byState Park, Forest, or Reservation 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 Park Road over Gaviota Creek built?

It was built in 1909, making it 116 years old in 2025.

What condition is Park Road over Gaviota 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 2024.

How much traffic does Park Road over Gaviota Creek carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Park Road over Gaviota Creek?

The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Park Road over Gaviota Creek?

It is owned by the State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency.