US Bridges

Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake

Fair

Shasta County, California · No Data Entered · Structure no. 051458000001051

Built
1942
83 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
309 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake in Shasta County, California. It was built in 1942, so it is 83 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 6 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, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 309 ft (94.2 m) long and 22 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFender Ferry
CrossesPit River/Shasta Lake
LocationNo Data Entered
RouteFederal Lands Road 34N17
CountyShasta County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates40.84024, -122.01693
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation*: *
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating—
Inventory rating—

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length309 ft (94.2 m)
Longest span155 ft (47.2 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (—)
Projected traffic75 by 2045
Trucks—
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

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake built?

It was built in 1942, making it 83 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake?

The structure is 309 ft (94.2 m) long with a longest span of 155 ft (47.2 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Fender Ferry over Pit River/Shasta Lake?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.