US Bridges

Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek

Fair

Santa Cruz County, California · 0.2 MI W Bear Creek RD · Structure no. 36C0134

Built
1962
63 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
66 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,500
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek in Santa Cruz County, California. It was built in 1962, so it is 63 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 1,500 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,040 by 2042. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesForest Hill Drive
CrossesBear Creek
Location0.2 MI W Bear Creek RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.14166, -122.08966
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69.3 US tons
Inventory rating41.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span66 ft (20.1 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,500 (2015)
Projected traffic2,040 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Hill Drive over Bear 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek carry?

About 1,500 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 66 ft (20.1 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Hill Drive over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.