US Bridges

Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad

Fair

Santa Barbara County, California · From Main Gate: Take Cali · Structure no. AFCAXUMU01600

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
125 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2014 count
Owner
Federal
Air Force

About this bridge

Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad in Santa Barbara County, California. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 300 vehicles a day, projected to reach 400 by 2034. The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTangair Road
CrossesUnion Pacific Railroad
LocationFrom Main Gate: Take Cali
RouteFederal Lands Road 0
CountySanta Barbara County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates34.75469, -120.61125
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length125 ft (38.1 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.1 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2014)
Projected traffic400 by 2034
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerAir Force
Maintained byAir Force
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 Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2014 count).

How long is Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad?

The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.1 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Tangair Road over Union Pacific Railroad?

It is owned by the Air Force.