US Bridges

Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek

Fair

Sierra County, California · Just North of SR 49 · Structure no. 13C0060

Built
2008
17 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
830
1998 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek is a concrete slab carrying Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek in Sierra County, California. It was built in 2008, so it is 17 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 830 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,038 by 2041. The structure is 42 ft (12.9 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGold Lake Road
CrossesHoward Creek
LocationJust North of SR 49
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySierra County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates39.61697, -120.59204
Functional classRural Major Collector

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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
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 typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length42 ft (12.9 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width43 ft (13.1 m)
Roadway width39 ft (12 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic830 (1998)
Projected traffic1,038 by 2041
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek built?

It was built in 2008, making it 17 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gold Lake Road over Howard 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 Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek carry?

About 830 vehicles per day (1998 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.9 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns Gold Lake Road over Howard Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.