16TH STREET
Carrying 16TH STREET over BEAR CREEK OVERFLOW
0.2 MI SE OF G STREET, Merced, California
FHWA NBI inspection record for this structure. Condition ratings, inventory load rating, span, deck width, and average daily traffic refresh annually with each NBI release.
Bridge Snapshot: 16TH STREET
The 16TH STREET bridge in Merced, California carries 16TH STREET over BEAR CREEK OVERFLOW. It was built in 1938, making it 88 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete continuous and spans 3 sections, stretching 8.1 meters (27 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 2,500 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of California bridges. It is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency, the entity responsible for routine inspections and any needed repairs.
The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 4/9 on the 0–9 NBI scale, where 9 is excellent and 0 is failed. The weakest component sits in poor condition, which drives the overall status of this bridge. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, the FHWA classifies this bridge as structurally deficient — a maintenance flag, not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 24.3 metric tons — the load level the structure is rated to carry at inventory (long-term) level.
In a county that maintains hundreds of NBI-tracked bridges, 16TH STREET is one data point in a California inventory that FHWA inspects on a two-year cycle (more often when ratings fall). Bridge age alone is not a reliable safety signal — a 88-era structure can outperform a newer one when maintenance is consistent, materials are sound, and traffic loads stay within design limits. Use the condition ratings above, the sufficiency score, and the structurally-deficient flag together to read the bridge's real status, and check the linked county and state pages to see how this bridge ranks against its peers.
Every figure on this page comes directly from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI), the public dataset that catalogs more than 617,000 highway bridges across the United States and is updated annually from the records that each state Department of Transportation submits to the FHWA. The condition codes use the standardized FHWA Recording and Coding Guide, the same scale that determines federal eligibility for the Highway Bridge Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant set-aside for off-system bridges. A "structurally deficient" classification under those federal criteria is a maintenance and funding flag, never a closure order; states keep deficient bridges open with load posting, weight limits, or accelerated inspection cycles until rehabilitation or replacement is funded. See our methodology for refresh cadence and the exact NBI release vintage powering each record.
How 16TH STREET compares
NBI inventory load rating (metric tons) and structural-deficiency status compared across California, computed live from the FHWA NBI.
Condition Ratings
Ratings are on a 0–9 scale: 9 = Excellent, 7–8 = Good, 5–6 = Fair, 3–4 = Poor, 0–2 = Critical/Failed. Sufficiency rating (0–100) combines structural adequacy, functional obsolescence, and essentiality.
Structural Details
- Year Built
- 1938
- Material
- Concrete Continuous
- Number of Spans
- 3
- Structure Length
- 8.1 m (27 ft)
- Deck Width
- 9.8 m (32 ft)
- Owner
- City/Municipal Highway Agency
- Avg Daily Traffic
- 2,500 vehicles/day
- Structure Number
- 39C0051
Location
Data Source
Data from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Bridge inspections are required every two years by federal law. Conditions reflect the most recent inspection.
FHWA NBI Program ↗Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the condition ratings mean for 16TH STREET?
Bridge condition ratings use a 0–9 scale set by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ratings 7–9 indicate good condition with no significant problems. Ratings 5–6 mean fair condition with minor issues. Ratings 3–4 indicate poor condition requiring repair. Ratings 0–2 are critical, meaning the bridge has serious structural problems. 16TH STREET in Merced, California.
How often is 16TH STREET inspected?
Federal law requires most highway bridges to be inspected at least every 24 months. Bridges in poor condition or with known issues may be inspected more frequently (every 12 months or less). 16TH STREET is part of the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the FHWA. With 2,500 vehicles crossing daily, regular inspection is essential.
What does "structurally deficient" mean for a bridge?
A structurally deficient bridge has at least one major component (deck, superstructure, or substructure) rated 4 or below on the FHWA 0–9 scale. This classification does NOT mean the bridge is unsafe for travel — it means the bridge needs repair, rehabilitation, or eventual replacement. Structurally deficient bridges remain open and are monitored. 16TH STREET is currently classified as structurally deficient.
What is the inventory load rating for 16TH STREET?
The NBI inventory rating is the load level a bridge is rated to carry for an indefinite period, recorded in metric tons. A lower number means the structure is more load-restricted. 16TH STREET has an inventory load rating of 24.3 metric tons. It is distinct from the FHWA sufficiency rating, a separate 0–100 funding-eligibility score that this dataset does not include.
Who is responsible for maintaining 16TH STREET?
Bridge ownership and maintenance responsibility varies — bridges may be owned by state DOTs, counties, cities, railroads, or federal agencies. 16TH STREET is maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency. The FHWA oversees the National Bridge Inventory program and sets inspection standards, but day-to-day maintenance falls to the owning agency. If you notice damage or safety concerns, contact your state DOT or call 911 for emergencies.
How old is 16TH STREET and does age affect safety?
16TH STREET was built in 1938, making it 88 years old. Bridge age alone does not determine safety — condition depends on materials, design, traffic load, maintenance history, and environmental exposure. Many older bridges remain in good condition due to regular maintenance and reconstruction.
Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A structurally deficient rating does not mean a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel — it indicates the bridge requires repair or replacement. For current closure or safety information, contact your state DOT.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | FHWA National Bridge Inventory, public U.S. government datasets |