FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

STATE ROUTE 99 NB

Carrying STATE ROUTE 99 NB over BLACK RASCAL CANAL

10-MER-099-17.30, Merced, California

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
35 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: STATE ROUTE 99 NB

The STATE ROUTE 99 NB bridge in Merced, California carries STATE ROUTE 99 NB over BLACK RASCAL CANAL. It was built in 1962, making it 64 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete continuous and spans 4 sections, stretching 28.4 meters (93 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 25,500 vehicles, placing it in the heavily-trafficked tier of California bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure at 4/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. A component scored 4 or below, placing this bridge in the federal Poor condition category rather than declaring it unsafe or closed. Its NBI inventory load rating is 35.0 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How STATE ROUTE 99 NB compares

▲ 3.7
Load rating vs California average (31.3 t)
Top 20%
Higher load rating than 80% of California bridges
532
Bridges in Merced · 33 in Poor condition
STATE ROUTE 99 NB 35.0 t
California average 31.3 t

Live comparison across California.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
61.2 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
24.0
Essentiality /15
9.2
Special reductions
−2.0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
35.0 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1962
Material
Concrete Continuous
Number of Spans
4
Structure Length
28.4 m (93 ft)
Deck Width
12.1 m (40 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
25,500 vehicles/day
Structure Number
39 0010R

Condition Analysis

  • At 4/9, the deck (driving surface) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.
  • At 6/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

STATE ROUTE 99 NB is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare STATE ROUTE 99 NB against other structures in Merced and across California. California bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for STATE ROUTE 99 NB?

STATE ROUTE 99 NB in Merced, California has a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is STATE ROUTE 99 NB inspected?

STATE ROUTE 99 NB's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 25,500 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. STATE ROUTE 99 NB is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for STATE ROUTE 99 NB?

STATE ROUTE 99 NB has an NBI inventory load rating of 35.0 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining STATE ROUTE 99 NB?

STATE ROUTE 99 NB is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is STATE ROUTE 99 NB and does age affect safety?

STATE ROUTE 99 NB was built in 1962, making it 64 years old.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.