US Bridges

Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal

Poor

Tulare County, California · 0.2 MI West of Road 176 · Structure no. 46C0229

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
25
1978 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Avenue 394 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 55 by 2042. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAvenue 394
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.2 MI West of Road 176
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.50394, -119.18143
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating19.3 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (1978)
Projected traffic55 by 2042
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$792,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal built?

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

What condition is Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 2025.

How much traffic does Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (1978 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Avenue 394 over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.