US Bridges

Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek

Fair

Santa Cruz County, California · Forest of Nisene Marks SP · Structure no. 36P0015

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
73 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2015 count
Owner
State
State Park, Forest, or Reservation Agency

About this bridge

Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek in Santa Cruz County, California. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2040. The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long and 12 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesAptos Creek Road
CrossesAptos Creek
LocationForest of Nisene Marks SP
RouteState Lands Road 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.00155, -121.9063
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
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating31.1 US tons
Inventory rating18.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length73 ft (22.3 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.8 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2015)
Projected traffic300 by 2040
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
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 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 Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is Aptos Creek Road over Aptos 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 Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek?

The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Aptos Creek Road over Aptos Creek?

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