US Bridges

Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek

Fair

Santa Cruz County, California · West of Highland Way · Structure no. 36F0006

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
56 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
2016 count
Owner
State
State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

About this bridge

Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek in Santa Cruz County, California. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 50 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 92 by 2044. The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 61.5 mi (99 km).

Location

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CarriesHihns Mill RD
CrossesSoquel Creek
LocationWest of Highland Way
RouteState Lands Road 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.08175, -121.85065
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating30 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length56 ft (17.1 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.1 m)
Deck width13 ft (4 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2016)
Projected traffic92 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed61.5 mi (99 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Maintained byState Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Hihns Mill RD 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek?

The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.1 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Hihns Mill RD over Soquel Creek?

It is owned by the State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency.