US Bridges

Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek

Poor

Santa Clara County, California · 1.45 MI SW JCT Hicks RD · Structure no. 37C0505

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek in Santa Clara County, California. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 15 by 2044. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAlamitos Road
CrossesHerbert Creek
Location1.45 MI SW JCT Hicks RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySanta Clara County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.15098, -121.85927
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating31.1 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.2 m)
Roadway width10 ft (3.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2024)
Projected traffic15 by 2044
Trucks2%
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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$146,000 (2025 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in February 2024.

How much traffic does Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Alamitos Road over Herbert Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.