State profile · Below median Poor share

California bridge safety

Condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition data for every public highway bridge in California, based on the FHWA National Bridge Inventory.

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

Data updated May 2026

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 whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-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 - Poor-condition share 15.3%
National avg

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

Condition Distribution

California45.2%48.3%GoodFairPoor
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 by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below California on the same metric.

OH

Ohio

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

NJ

New Jersey

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

CA

California

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

AR

Arkansas

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

WA

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 the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

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

Poor

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

NB87-NARVAEZ OFFRP

Unknown

Over: CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY

04-SCL-087-1.34-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1993 ADT: 36,390

SB STATE ROUTE 87

Unknown

Over: HILLSDALE AVENUE

04-SCL-087-1.73-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1993 ADT: 9,800

NB STATE ROUTE 87

Unknown

Over: HILLSDALE AVENUE

04-SCL-087-1.73-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1993 ADT: 9,800

ALMADEN EXPRESSWAY

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 87

04-SCL-087-3.38-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 130,000

SB STATE ROUTE 87

Unknown

Over: NB87,SB280,NB680 ON-RAMP

04-SCL-087-4.23-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 5,000

NB STATE ROUTE 87

Unknown

Over: NB87,SB280,NB680 ON-RAMP

04-SCL-087-4.23-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 5,000

SB STATE ROUTE 87

Unknown

Over: WILLOW ST & GUADALUPE RI

04-SCL-087-4.55-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1989 ADT: 3,000

NB STATE ROUTE 87

Unknown

Over: WILLOW ST & GUADALUPE RI

04-SCL-087-4.55-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1989 ADT: 3,000

CALTRAIN & UP RR

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 87

04-SCL-087-4.72-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1989 ADT: 130,000

VTA LRT (2 TRACKS)

Unknown

Over: N87-N280 CONNECTOR

04-SCL-087-5.23-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1988 ADT: 63,400

TASMAN DRIVE WB

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 880

04-SCL-880-7.70-MPS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1995 ADT: 157,000

TASMAN DRIVE EB

Unknown

Over: INTERSTATE 880

04-SCL-880-7.68-MPS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1995 ADT: 157,000

N87-SANTA CLARA ST

Unknown

Over: AUZERAIS AVE & VTA LRT

04-SCL-087-5.29-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1988 ADT: 7,080

VTA LRT (SB)

Unknown

Over: 87(NB), 280, 680 ON-RAMP

04-SCL-087-4.24-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 5,000

VTA LRT (NB)

Unknown

Over: 87,280,680 ON-RAMP

04-SCL-087-4.25-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 5,000

COTTLE ROAD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85 & VTA LRT

04-SCL-085-1.97, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 81,000

LEAN AVENUE

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85 & VTA LRT

04-SCL-085-2.73-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 103,000

BRANHAM LANE

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 87 & VTA LRT

04-SCL-087-0.90-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 102,000

SNELL AVENUE

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85 & VTA LRT

04-SCL-085-3.48-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 103,000

STATE ROUTE 152 WB

Unknown

Over: CASA DE FRUTA DRIVE

04-SCL-152-R23.41, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 2,500

STATE ROUTE 152 EB

Unknown

Over: CASA DE FRUTA DRIVE

04-SCL-152-R23.41, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 2,500

SB RENGSTORFF AVE

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

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

Built 1990 ADT: 155,000

STEVENS CREEK BLVD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-R17.70-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 121,000

SB STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: GUADALUPE, WINFIELD, LRT

04-SCL-085-5.59-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 1,300

NB STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: GUADALUPE, WINFIELD, LRT

04-SCL-085-5.59-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 1,300

STATE ROUTE 25

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-SCL-025-2.49, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1989 ADT: 52,000

W237-AMERICAN PKWY

Unknown

Over: UP RR, AMTRAK, LAFAYETTE

04-SCL-237-R6.10-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 10,000

STATE ROUTE 237 WB

Unknown

Over: UP RR, AMTRAK, LAFAYETTE

04-SCL-237-R6.10-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 10,000

EB STATE ROUTE 237

Unknown

Over: UP RR, AMTRAK, LAFAYETTE

04-SCL-237-R6.10-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 10,000

AMERICA PKWY-EB237

Unknown

Over: UP RR, AMTRAK, LAFAYETTE

04-SCL-237-R6.10-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 10,000

STATE ROUTE 237 WB

Unknown

Over: GREAT AMERICA PARKWAY

04-SCL-237-R5.83-SCL, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 35,000

EB STATE ROUTE 237

Unknown

Over: GREAT AMERICA PARKWAY

04-SCL-237-R5.83-SCL, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 35,000

MCCARTHY BOULEVARD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 237 & CONN

04-SCL-237-R8.92R-MPS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 60,500

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-6.46-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 105,000

MERIDIAN AVENUE

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-7.30-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 122,000

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-7.50-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 122,000

STATE ROUTE 85 SB

Unknown

Over: CAMDEN AVENUE

04-SCL-085-8.11-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 24,100

STATE ROUTE 85 NB

Unknown

Over: CAMDEN AVENUE

04-SCL-085-8.11-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 24,100

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-R14.84-CPO, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 100,000

COX AVENUE

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85

04-SCL-085-R14.28, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 100,000

SB STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: SANTA TERESA BLVD

04-SCL-085-5.20-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 23,000

NB STATE ROUTE 85

Unknown

Over: SANTA TERESA BL, VTA LRT

04-SCL-085-5.20-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1991 ADT: 23,000

NORTH 1ST STREET

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 237

04-SCL-237-6.87-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1995 ADT: 125,000

ZANKER ROAD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 237

04-SCL-237-8.02-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 125,000

STATE ROUTE 85 SB

Unknown

Over: CALTRAIN, UP RR, AMTRAK,

04-SCL-085-0.29-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 21,029

STATE ROUTE 85 NB

Unknown

Over: CALTRAIN, UP RR, AMTRAK,

04-SCL-085-0.29-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1992 ADT: 21,029

U.S. HIGHWAY 101

Unknown

Over: BROKAW ROAD

04-SCL-101-39.44-SJS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1993 ADT: 5,840

STATE ROUTE 17

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85 & RAMPS

04-SCL-017-9.32-LGTS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 117,600

N17-N85 & S85-N17

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85 & RAMPS

04-SCL-017-9.32-LGTS, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 6,100

S17-S85 CONNECTOR

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 85 & RAMPS

04-SCL-017-9.34, Santa Clara, CA

Built 1994 ADT: 117,600

Showing 6,751-6,800 of 27,040 bridges

Related

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

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). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

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.

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.