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%.

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.

All Bridges in California

S101 ON & OFF RAMP

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

04-MRN-101-25.50, Marin, CA

Built 2006 ADT: 80,000

PEDESTRIAN BIKEWAY

Unknown

Over: LINDEN LANE

04-MRN-000-0.00, Marin, CA

Built 2010 ADT: 7,500

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD

1.4 MI W OF SR 101, Marin, CA

Built 1968 ADT: 10,000

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: PARADISE DRIVE

INTX UPLAND CIRCLE INTRX, Marin, CA

Built 1970 ADT: 2,730

BIKE PATH

Unknown

Over: BELLAM BLVD

UNDER U.S. HIGHWAY 101, Marin, CA

Built 1930 ADT: 2,500

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: NICASIO VALLEY RD

0.15 MI N SIR FRNCS DK B2, Marin, CA

Built 1960 ADT: 1,330

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Unknown

Over: SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD

1/4 MI E OF US 101, Marin, CA

Built 1981 ADT: 10,000

BIKE PATH

Unknown

Over: SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD

SAM P TAYLOR STATE PARK, Marin, CA

Built 1980 ADT: 2,500

EL ROBLE OC

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-19.68, Mendocino, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 14,100

ROBINSON OC

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-20.71, Mendocino, CA

Built 1963 ADT: 14,700

US HIGHWAY 101 S

Unknown

Over: ROUTE 20

01-MEN-101-T43.76, Mendocino, CA

Built 2016 ADT: 10,400

US HIGHWAY 101 N

Unknown

Over: ROUTE 20

01-MEN-101-T43.75, Mendocino, CA

Built 2016 ADT: 10,400

STATE ROUTE 271

Unknown

Over: U.S. 101 (@ PM R89.56)

01-MEN-271-5.58, Mendocino, CA

Built 1970 ADT: 6,100

US HIGHWAY 101

Unknown

Over: EAST HILL ROAD

01-MEN-101-44.99, Mendocino, CA

Built 2016 ADT: 1,000

US HIGHWAY 101

Unknown

Over: HAEHL,BAECHTL,CV RD,C ST

01-MEN-101-46.43-WLTS, Mendocino, CA

Built 2016 ADT: 1,000

US HIGHWAY 101

Unknown

Over: QUAIL MEADOWS ROAD

01-MEN-101-48.12, Mendocino, CA

Built 2016 ADT: 1,000

STATE ROUTE 20

Unknown

Over: EAST ROAD

01-MEN-020-33.77, Mendocino, CA

Built 1958 ADT: 250

TREATMENT PLANT RD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-R21.80, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 16,700

STATE ROUTE 253

Unknown

Over: U.S. 101 (@ PM R21.59)

01-MEN-253-17.16, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 14,700

OAK MANOR SCH POC

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-R24.30-UKI, Mendocino, CA

Built 1968 ADT: 20,900

SR 222 (TALMADGE)

Unknown

Over: U.S. 101 (@ PM R23.45)

01-MEN-222-L0.50, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 20,900

E GOBBI ST

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-R24.06-UKI, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 20,900

EAST PERKINS ST

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-R24.53-UKI, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 20,900

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: NORTH STATE STREET

01-MEN-101-R26.16, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 9,300

US 101 NB

Unknown

Over: NORTH STATE STREET

01-MEN-101-R26.16, Mendocino, CA

Built 1964 ADT: 9,300

MASONITE ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-26.37, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 27,500

ORR SPRINGS ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-26.39, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 27,500

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: LAKE MENDOCINO DR

01-MEN-101-27.41, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 1,200

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: LAKE MENDOCINO DR

01-MEN-101-27.41, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 1,200

PARDUCCI ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-27.92, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 24,600

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: MOORE STREET

01-MEN-101-30.43, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 650

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: MOORE STREET

01-MEN-101-30.43, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 650

US HIGHWAY 101 SB

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 20 (@ PM 33.22)

01-MEN-101-30.82, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 11,500

US HIGHWAY 101 NB

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 20 (@ PM 33.22)

01-MEN-101-30.82, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 11,500

NORTH STATE ST

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 20

01-MEN-020-33.31, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 11,500

CENTRAL AVE

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-29.84, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 24,600

NORTH STATE ST

Unknown

Over: W20-N101 CONNECTOR RAMP

01-MEN-020-33.32, Mendocino, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 2,875

STATE ROUTE 271

Unknown

Over: U.S. 101 (@ PM R101.90)

01-MEN-271-17.03, Mendocino, CA

Built 1976 ADT: 6,100

WEST ROAD

Unknown

Over: U.S. HIGHWAY 101

01-MEN-101-R32.63, Mendocino, CA

Built 1990 ADT: 19,000

BUHACH ROAD

Unknown

Over: ST RTE 99, RAMPS & UP RR

10-MER-099-20.52, Merced, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 39,000

FRANKLIN RD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 99

10-MER-099-18.51, Merced, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 56,000

STATE ROUTE 99 SB

Unknown

Over: ATWATER BL, UP RR, SP AV

10-MER-099-21.61, Merced, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 100

STATE ROUTE 99 NB

Unknown

Over: ATWATER BL, UP RR, SP AV

10-MER-099-21.61, Merced, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 1,500

APPLEGATE ROAD

Unknown

Over: STATE ROUTE 99 & RAMPS

10-MER-099-22.76-ATW, Merced, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 37,000

STATE ROUTE 99 SB

Unknown

Over: ATWATER BLVD & UP RR

10-MER-099-23.47-ATW, Merced, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 500

STATE ROUTE 99 NB

Unknown

Over: ATWATER BLVD & UP RR

10-MER-099-23.46-ATW, Merced, CA

Built 1957 ADT: 500

STATE ROUTE 99 SB

Unknown

Over: L STREET

10-MER-099-14.87-MER, Merced, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 1,500

STATE ROUTE 99 NB

Unknown

Over: L STREET

10-MER-099-14.87-MER, Merced, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 1,500

STATE ROUTE 99 SB

Unknown

Over: M STREET

10-MER-099-14.96-MER, Merced, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 1,500

STATE ROUTE 99 NB

Unknown

Over: M STREET

10-MER-099-14.96-MER, Merced, CA

Built 1962 ADT: 1,500

Showing 3,251-3,300 of 27,040 bridges

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.