US Bridges

West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN

Fair

Santa Cruz County, California · West Cliff and Beach ST · Structure no. 36C0127

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
190 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5,000
2014 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN in Santa Cruz County, California. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 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 5,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,000 by 2040. The structure is 190 ft (57.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWest Cliff Drive
CrossesRailroad and Viaduct LN
LocationWest Cliff and Beach ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.9628, -122.02514
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 inspectionSeptember 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.4 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1 (+8 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length190 ft (57.8 m)
Longest span62 ft (18.9 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,000 (2014)
Projected traffic6,000 by 2040
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and railroad
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN carry?

About 5,000 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN?

The structure is 190 ft (57.8 m) long with a longest span of 62 ft (18.9 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns West Cliff Drive over Railroad and Viaduct LN?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.