State profile · Below national median SD

California bridge safety

Condition ratings, load ratings, and structural-deficiency data for every public highway bridge in California — drawn straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory.

27,040
Public bridges
32.5%
Good condition
4.6%
Poor condition
4.6%
Structurally deficient

Total Bridges

27,040

Public highway bridges in California

Good Condition

32.5%

8,777 bridges rated 7-9

-17.5pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

4.6%

1,244 bridges rated 0-4

Structurally Deficient

4.6%

1,244 bridges flagged for repair priority

-2.4pp vs national avg 7.0%

California vs national bridge condition

California — Good condition share 32.5%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

California — Structurally deficient share 15.3%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.0%.

Condition Distribution

Bridge inventory deck-condition mix — California (FHWA NBI)

California32.45931952662722%34.67455621301775%GoodFairPoorStructurally Deficient
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix — California (FHWA NBI)

Counties (58)

Alameda 800 Alpine 32 Amador 62 Butte 441 Calaveras 106 Colusa 211 Contra Costa 686 Del Norte 96 El Dorado 196 Fresno 929 Glenn 242 Humboldt 398 Imperial 448 Inyo 67 Kern 686 Kings 168 Lake 129 Lassen 108 Los Angeles 3937 Madera 250 Marin 217 Mariposa 109 Mendocino 357 Merced 532 Modoc 87 Mono 49 Monterey 390 Napa 160 Nevada 135 Orange 1224 Placer 347 Plumas 170 Riverside 1142 Sacramento 775 San Benito 76 San Bernardino 1465 San Diego 1707 San Francisco 170 San Joaquin 666 San Luis Obispo 408 San Mateo 393 Santa Barbara 429 Santa Clara 1041 Santa Cruz 203 Shasta 500 Sierra 65 Siskiyou 423 Solano 383 Sonoma 613 Stanislaus 390 Sutter 120 Tehama 452 Trinity 194 Tulare 599 Tuolumne 128 Ventura 511 Yolo 282 Yuba 136

California vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states on the structurally deficient leaderboard (lower share = better)

States are ranked by share of bridges flagged structurally deficient — the FHWA classification for any span where deck, superstructure, or substructure carries a condition rating of 4 or below. Lower percentages indicate stronger maintenance funding and inspection follow-through. States here sit immediately above and below California on the same metric.

39

Ohio

4.54% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$26,753

34

New Jersey

4.59% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$6,796
Selected

06

California

4.60% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$27,040

05

Arkansas

4.71% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,544

53

Washington

4.81% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$8,808

Bridges Needing Most Attention in California

Six lowest-condition bridges in California, ranked by composite NBI rating. Each is inspected at least every 24 months.

SPRING CREEK RD

Poor

Over: FALL RIVER

0.5 MI N OF MCARTHUR RD, Shasta, CA

Built 1950 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 50

ORESTIMBA ROAD

Poor

Over: CCID MAIN CANAL

0.1 MI E DRAPER RD, Stanislaus, CA

Built 1919 Load: 2.9 t ADT: 684

CLARK STREET

Poor

Over: M.I.D. CANAL

0.1 MI WEST OF ROAD 26.0, Madera, CA

Built 1955 Load: 3.2 t ADT: 200

GULLING STREET

Structurally Deficient

Over: MIDDLE FORK FEATHER RIV

0.2 MI S SH 70, Plumas, CA

Built 1954 Load: 3.2 t ADT: 10,046

AVENUE 10

Poor

Over: COTTONWOOD CREEK

JUST E/O ROAD 23, Madera, CA

Built 1950 Load: 3.6 t ADT: 50

S BISHOP AVE

Poor

Over: CRESCENT DITCH

0.64 MI S/O MT WHITNEY AV, Fresno, CA

Built 1950 Load: 3.9 t ADT: 125

All Bridges in California

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: TRAFFIC WAY

05-SLO-101-45.96-ATAS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1956 ADT: 8,000

U.S. HIGHWAY 101

Unknown

Over: BRISCO RD

05-SLO-101-13.75-ARGD, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1956 ADT: 8,000

OAK PARK BLVD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-14.61, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1993 ADT: 77,200

SANTA BARBARA RD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-42.27, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 53,000

STATE ROUTE 58

Unknown

Over: US HWY 101 (@PM 37.86)

05-SLO-058-0.03, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1956 ADT: 43,000

SANTA ROSA ROAD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-44.01-ATAS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1956 ADT: 53,000

CURBARIL AVE

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-44.84-ATAS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 53,000

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: MISSION ST-S101 ON RAMP

05-SLO-101-65.06, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 2020 ADT: 3,350

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: MISSION ST-S101 ON RAMP

05-SLO-101-65.08, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 3,350

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: TENTH STREET

05-SLO-101-65.56, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 2,000

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: S101-MISSION ST OFF-RAMP

05-SLO-101-67.23, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 2,700

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: S101-MISSION ST OFF-RAMP

05-SLO-101-67.23, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 2,700

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 46 (@PM 29.76)

05-SLO-101-57.91-PSRS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 25,000

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 46 (@PM 29.76)

05-SLO-101-57.91-PSRS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 25,000

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: BRIDGE ST-S101 ON RAMP

05-SLO-101-12.52-ARGD, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 2,800

FAIR OAKS AVE

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-12.80-ARGD, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 48,000

GRAND AVE

Unknown

Over: US HWY 101 (@PM 13.17)

05-SLO-101-13.17-ARGD, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 48,000

STATE ROUTE 1

Unknown

Over: BAYWOOD PARK ROAD

05-SLO-001-27.88, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 2,000

STATE ROUTE 1

Unknown

Over: SR 41 (@PM 0.01)

05-SLO-001-30.14, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 6,500

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: WADSWORTH AVE

05-SLO-101-16.88-PBCH, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 1,100

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: WADSWORTH AVE

05-SLO-101-16.88-PBCH, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 1,100

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 1 (@PM 16.77)

05-SLO-101-17.74-PBCH, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 28,000

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 1 (@PM 16.77)

05-SLO-101-17.74-PBCH, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 28,000

LOS OSOS VALLEY RD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-25.91-SLO, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 56,000

LOS OSOS VALLEY RD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-25.91-SLO, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 2015 ADT: 56,000

MADONNA RD

Unknown

Over: US HWY 101 (@PM 27.50)

05-SLO-101-27.50-SLO, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 56,000

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: AVILA BEACH DR

05-SLO-101-R21.10, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 10,349

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: AVILA BEACH DR

05-SLO-101-R21.10, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 10,349

SAN LUIS BAY DR

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-R22.30, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 62,000

SAN RAMON ROAD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-49.32, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 77,000

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: LAS TABLAS AVE

05-SLO-101-51.45, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 2,000

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: LAS TABLAS AVE

05-SLO-101-51.45, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 2,000

VINEYARD DR

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-50.64, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 62,000

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: SR 46 (@PM 21.96)

05-SLO-101-54.11-PSRS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1966 ADT: 6,000

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: SR 46 (@PM 21.96)

05-SLO-101-54.11-PSRS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1966 ADT: 6,000

CAYUCOS DR

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 1

05-SLO-001-R35.96, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 7,800

MAIN STREET

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-52.44, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1966 ADT: 62,000

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: LOS BERROS ROAD

05-SLO-101-7.84, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1970 ADT: 7,800

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: LOS BERROS ROAD

05-SLO-101-7.84, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1970 ADT: 7,800

STATE ROUTE 41

Unknown

Over: SALINAS R,UP RR,SYCAMORE

05-SLO-041-R16.94-ATAS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 2000 ADT: 1,050

NIBLICK ROAD

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-55.97-PSRS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1987 ADT: 30,000

FOURTH STREET

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-15.58, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1998 ADT: 56,000

TEFFT ST

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

05-SLO-101-4.85, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1996 ADT: 68,400

US HIGHWAY 101

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 41 (@PM15.96)

05-SLO-101-45.56-ATAS, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 2010 ADT: 7,300

MONTEREY STREET

Unknown

Over: MONTEREY STREET

20M NW OF PEPPER STREET, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1901 ADT: 14,092

UP RR & AMTRAK

Unknown

Over: JOHNSON AVE

SE OF BUCHON ST, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 13,099

UP RR & AMTRAK

Unknown

Over: TANK FARM ROAD

0.4 MI E OF HOLLYHOCK RD, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1988 ADT: 7,952

UP RR & AMTRAK

Unknown

Over: CAPISTRANO AVE

0.2MI N FROM INTX VIA AVE, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1902 ADT: 2,920

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 227

.06 MI SW OF HUASNA RD, San Luis Obispo, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 16,200

SAND HILL ROAD (S)

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SM-280-R1.56, San Mateo, CA

Built 1969 ADT: 101,000

Showing 6,201-6,250 of 27,040 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | SD bridges explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges Editorial.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). A "structurally deficient" rating is a repair-priority signal, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult a qualified civil engineer before making decisions based on this data.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.