US Bridges

Avenue 280 over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Tulare County, California · 0.3 MI East of Road 204 · Structure no. 46C0241

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
88 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
300
1978 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Avenue 280 over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Avenue 280 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 438 by 2042. The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesAvenue 280
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.3 MI East of Road 204
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.29679, -119.11109
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
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 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 rating22.2 US tons
Inventory rating16.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length88 ft (26.8 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (1978)
Projected traffic438 by 2042
Trucks10%
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Avenue 280 over Friant-Kern Canal built?

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

What condition is Avenue 280 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 Avenue 280 over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (1978 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Avenue 280 over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Avenue 280 over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.