US Bridges

Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Tulare County, California · 0.2 MI North of Ave 264 · Structure no. 46C0180

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
90 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
400
1974 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal in Tulare County, California. It was built in 1949, so it is 76 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 400 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 730 by 2044. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 216
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.2 MI North of Ave 264
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.27044, -119.09073
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating31.7 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic400 (1974)
Projected traffic730 by 2044
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road 216 over Friant-Kern 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 400 vehicles per day (1974 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Road 216 over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.