US Bridges

Sands Road over California Creek

Fair

Spokane County, Washington · 0.5 W Valleyford · Structure no. 085759000000000

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
58 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
229
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sands Road over California Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Sands Road over California Creek in Spokane County, Washington. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 years old, younger than the Washington average of 49.8 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 229 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 329 by 2042. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSands Road
CrossesCalifornia Creek
Location0.5 W Valleyford
RouteCounty Highway 4417
CountySpokane County
StateWashington
Coordinates47.52912, -117.26005
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating27.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic229 (2020)
Projected traffic329 by 2042
Trucks21%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sands Road over California Creek built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sands Road over California Creek 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Sands Road over California Creek carry?

About 229 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is Sands Road over California Creek?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Sands Road over California Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.