US Bridges

Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt

Fair

Santa Clara County, California · 04-SCL-085-3.48-SJS · Structure no. 37 0442

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
983 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
14,800
1999 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - multiple carrying Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt in Santa Clara County, California. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 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 14,800 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 23,886 by 2041. The structure is 983 ft (299.6 m) long and 77 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSnell Avenue
CrossesState Route 85 & Vta Lrt
Location04-SCL-085-3.48-SJS
RouteCounty Highway 0C124
CountySanta Clara County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.24624, -121.83016
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans9
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length983 ft (299.6 m)
Longest span123 ft (37.5 m)
Deck width77 ft (23.5 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic14,800 (1999)
Projected traffic23,886 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and railroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt 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 Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt carry?

About 14,800 vehicles per day (1999 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt?

The structure is 983 ft (299.6 m) long with a longest span of 123 ft (37.5 m) and a deck 77 ft wide.

Who owns Snell Avenue over State Route 85 & Vta Lrt?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.