US Bridges

Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek

Fair

Santa Cruz County, California · 0.1 MI East of Porter ST · Structure no. 36C0159

Built
2002
23 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
145 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20,000
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek in Santa Cruz County, California. It was built in 2002, so it is 23 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 20,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 25,760 by 2040. The structure is 145 ft (44.1 m) long and 72 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSoquel Drive
CrossesSoquel Creek
Location0.1 MI East of Porter ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.98857, -121.95577
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
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
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length145 ft (44.1 m)
Longest span137 ft (41.8 m)
Deck width72 ft (21.9 m)
Roadway width58 ft (17.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,000 (2015)
Projected traffic25,760 by 2040
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek built?

It was built in 2002, making it 23 years old in 2025.

What condition is Soquel Drive over Soquel 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek carry?

About 20,000 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek?

The structure is 145 ft (44.1 m) long with a longest span of 137 ft (41.8 m) and a deck 72 ft wide.

Who owns Soquel Drive over Soquel Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.