US Bridges

IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River

Fair

Tulare County, California · 22 KM East of Porterville · Structure no. 00000000000J017

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
84 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,500
2023 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Indian Affairs

About this bridge

IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River in Tulare County, California. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 6 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 3,500 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,000 by 2043. The structure is 84 ft (25.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesIRR BIA RTE 70
CrossesSouth Fork Tule River
Location22 KM East of Porterville
RouteFederal Lands Road 70
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.02458, -118.8105
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.5 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length84 ft (25.5 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.5 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,500 (2023)
Projected traffic5,000 by 2043
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Indian Affairs
Maintained byBureau of Indian Affairs
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$301,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River carry?

About 3,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River?

The structure is 84 ft (25.5 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.5 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns IRR BIA RTE 70 over South Fork Tule River?

It is owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.