US Bridges

Avenue 248 over Friant-Kern Canal

Fair

Tulare County, California · 0.1 MI East of Road 224 · Structure no. 46C0244

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
84 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
175
1978 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Avenue 248 over Friant-Kern Canal is a concrete tee beam carrying Avenue 248 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 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 175 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 273 by 2042. The structure is 84 ft (25.7 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAvenue 248
CrossesFriant-Kern Canal
Location0.1 MI East of Road 224
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.23904, -119.07155
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating33.2 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length84 ft (25.7 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (1978)
Projected traffic273 by 2042
Trucks5%
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 Avenue 248 over Friant-Kern Canal built?

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

What condition is Avenue 248 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 248 over Friant-Kern Canal carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (1978 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Avenue 248 over Friant-Kern Canal?

The structure is 84 ft (25.7 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Avenue 248 over Friant-Kern Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.