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

INTERSTATE 880

Unknown

Over: N 1ST ST & VTA LRT

04-SCL-880-3.56-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 37,035

INTERSTATE 880

Unknown

Over: NORTH FOURTH STREET

04-SCL-880-3.78-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 13,800

STORY ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-34.55-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 229,000

NB RENGSTORFF AVE

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-49.61-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 155,000

STATE ROUTE 9

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 17

04-SCL-009-11.43-LGTS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 61,000

SAN ANTONIO ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-50.32-PA, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 187,000

STATE ROUTE 17

Unknown

Over: CAMDEN AVE

04-SCL-017-10.50-CMB, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1971 ADT: 62,140

BLOSSOM HILL ROAD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 17

04-SCL-017-7.67-LGTS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 97,700

OREGON EXPRESSWAY

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-52.01-PA, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 11,800

EMBARCADERO ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101 & RAMPS

04-SCL-101-52.17-PA, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 18,800

LARK AVENUE

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 17 & RAMPS

04-SCL-017-8.89-LGTS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 101,900

LAWRENCE EXPWY

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-43.85-SUNV, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1998 ADT: 134,000

N. SHORELINE BLVD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-48.60-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 155,000

EMBARCADERO-SB 101

Unknown

Over: SB HIGHWAY 101 RAMP

04-SCL-101-52.11-PA, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 11,700

SAN TOMAS EXPWY

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-41.98-SCL, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 134,000

FAIR OAKS AVENUE

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-44.83-SUNV, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 134,000

LAFAYETTE ST (NB)

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-41.07-SCL, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 134,000

INTERSTATE 880

Unknown

Over: FOREST AVE

04-SCL-880-0.69-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 4,500

MATHILDA AVENUE

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-45.68-SUNV, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 134,000

STATE ROUTE 237

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-237-2.45-SUNV, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1959 ADT: 134,000

STATE ROUTE 237

Unknown

Over: MATHILDA AVENUE

04-SCL-237-2.99-SUNV, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 35,800

N87-N101 CONNECTOR

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-087-9.20-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 160,000

STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: FREMONT AVENUE

04-SCL-085-R19.86-SUNV, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 22,578

STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: MOFFETT BOULEVARD

04-SCL-085-R23.44-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 32,000

S280-S17 CONNECTOR

Unknown

Over: MOORPARK AVENUE

04-SCL-280-L5.49-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 22,700

SARATOGA AVENUE

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-5.95-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 10,000

STEVENS CR BL-S280

Unknown

Over: S880-N&S280 CONNECTOR RP

04-SCL-880-0.15-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 15,500

MONROE STREET POC

Unknown

Over: I 280, CONN, TISCH WAY

04-SCL-280-L5.58-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 5,500

S280-N880 CONNECTR

Unknown

Over: I 280, I 880 & CONNECTRS

04-SCL-280-L5.50-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 174,000

INTERSTATE 280

Unknown

Over: SAN TOMAS EXPRESSWAY

04-SCL-280-5.31-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 51,850

WINCHESTER BLVD

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-R4.57-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 204,000

STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 237

04-SCL-085-R22.13-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 2,450

STATE ROUTE 82

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-082-18.82-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 115,000

DANA STREET

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 237 & RAMPS

04-SCL-237-R0.61-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 68,000

DE ANZA BOULEVARD

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-9.43-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 138,000

STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: CALTRAIN,UP RR,CENTRAL,

04-SCL-085-R22.63-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 18,700

HOMESTEAD ROAD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-R18.86-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 115,000

STELLING ROAD

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-9.94-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 138,000

INTERSTATE 280

Unknown

Over: LAWRENCE EXPWY & CREEK

04-SCL-280-7.12-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 53,800

INTERSTATE 280

Unknown

Over: STEVENS CREEK BOULEVARD

04-SCL-280-7.39-SCL, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 31,550

BLANEY AVENUE

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-8.96-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 138,000

MIDDLEFIELD ROAD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-R23.19-MVW, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 115,000

DE LA CRUZ BLVD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 82

04-SCL-082-11.38-SCL, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1961 ADT: 23,900

CYPRESS AVENUE POC

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-5.11-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1989 ADT: 203,000

WOLFE ROAD

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 280

04-SCL-280-8.38-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 5,000

HELLYER AVENUE

Unknown

Over: US HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-30.10, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 128,000

CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-31.70-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1965 ADT: 12,750

SAN ANTONIO STREET

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-101-R35.46-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1993 ADT: 188,000

SB INTERSTATE 280

Unknown

Over: MAGDALENA AVENUE

04-SCL-280-14.10, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 5,803

NB INTERSTATE 280

Unknown

Over: MAGDALENA AVENUE

04-SCL-280-14.10, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1967 ADT: 5,803

Showing 6,551-6,600 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.