US Bridges

Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek

Fair

Tehama County, California · 9.95 MI N Paskenta Road · Structure no. 08C0267

Built
1942
83 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
84 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
500
2007 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek in Tehama 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 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 820 by 2047. The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLowrey Road
CrossesMiddle Fork Elder Creek
Location9.95 MI N Paskenta Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTehama County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates40.00876, -122.55719
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44.6 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length84 ft (25.6 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2007)
Projected traffic820 by 2047
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed34.8 mi (56 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 Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek built?

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

What condition is Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek?

The structure is 84 ft (25.6 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Lowrey Road over Middle Fork Elder Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.