US Bridges

Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek

Fair

Sierra County, California · 1.4 MI E of SR 49 Nr Sie · Structure no. 13C0042

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek in Sierra County, California. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 25 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 52 by 2041. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18 mi (29 km).

Location

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CarriesLemon Canyon Road
CrossesLemon Creek
Location1.4 MI E of SR 49 Nr Sie
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySierra County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates39.57993, -120.32609
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating37.5 US tons
Inventory rating28.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.9 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (1998)
Projected traffic52 by 2041
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18 mi (29 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 Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.9 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Lemon Canyon Road over Lemon Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.