US Bridges

Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal

Fair

Stanislaus County, California · 1.5 Miles East of I-5 · Structure no. 38C0118

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
105 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,810
2016 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal in Stanislaus County, California. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 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 2,810 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,100 by 2042. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesHoward Road
CrossesDelta-Mendota Canal
Location1.5 Miles East of I-5
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyStanislaus County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates37.53649, -121.24248
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27.9 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,810 (2016)
Projected traffic3,100 by 2042
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal 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 2024.

How much traffic does Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal carry?

About 2,810 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Howard Road over Delta-Mendota Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.