US Bridges

China Mt. Road over Houston Creek

Poor

Siskiyou County, California · Callahan · Structure no. 050555000001000

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

China Mt. Road over Houston Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying China Mt. Road over Houston Creek in Siskiyou County, California. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 years old, younger than the California average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 2 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 75 by 2045. The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long and 16 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChina Mt. Road
CrossesHouston Creek
LocationCallahan
RouteFederal Lands Road 41N03
CountySiskiyou County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates41.37658, -122.6089
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure2 CriticalAdvanced deterioration of primary structural elements. Bridge may be closed until corrective action is taken.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; extensive scour has occurred
Structural evaluation*: *
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal 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
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.5 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 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 China Mt. Road over Houston Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is China Mt. Road over Houston Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in September 2024.

How much traffic does China Mt. Road over Houston Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (latest count).

How long is China Mt. Road over Houston Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns China Mt. Road over Houston Creek?

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