US Bridges

Road 204 (spruce) over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Tulare County, California · 0.5 MI South of SR 198 · Structure no. 46C0182

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,200
2015 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 204 (spruce) over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Road 204 (spruce) 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 3,200 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,766 by 2042. The structure is 102 ft (31 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 204 (spruce)
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.5 MI South of SR 198
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.31961, -119.11707
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating15.8 US tons
Inventory rating9.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length102 ft (31 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,200 (2015)
Projected traffic3,766 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 204 (spruce) over Friant-Kern Canal built?

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

What condition is Road 204 (spruce) 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Road 204 (spruce) over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 3,200 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Road 204 (spruce) over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 102 ft (31 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Road 204 (spruce) over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.