US Bridges

Road 140 over Elk Bayou

Fair

Tulare County, California · 1.6 MI S of SR 137 · Structure no. 46C0274

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
40 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
675
2010 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Road 140 over Elk Bayou is a concrete continuous culvert carrying Road 140 over Elk Bayou in Tulare County, California. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 675 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,636 by 2041. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoad 140
CrossesElk Bayou
Location1.6 MI S of SR 137
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTulare County
StateCalifornia
Coordinates36.18735, -119.25992
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
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span13 ft (4 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic675 (2010)
Projected traffic1,636 by 2041
Trucks5%
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Road 140 over Elk Bayou built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Road 140 over Elk Bayou 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Road 140 over Elk Bayou carry?

About 675 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Road 140 over Elk Bayou?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 13 ft (4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Road 140 over Elk Bayou?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.