US Bridges

Road 144 over Alta Canal

Fair

Tulare County, California · @ Ave 408 · Structure no. 46C0179

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
29 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
800
1982 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 144 over Alta Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Road 144 over Alta Canal in Tulare County, California. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 800 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,105 by 2043. The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 144
CrossesAlta Canal
Location@ Ave 408
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.52971, -119.25075
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length29 ft (8.9 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic800 (1982)
Projected traffic1,105 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

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 Road 144 over Alta Canal built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road 144 over Alta 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Road 144 over Alta Canal carry?

About 800 vehicles per day (1982 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is Road 144 over Alta Canal?

The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Road 144 over Alta Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.