US Bridges

County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal

Good

Alamosa County, Colorado · Just E of CR S 101 · Structure no. 003001200.9007A

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Good
inspected March 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
132
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal in Alamosa County, Colorado. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 132 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 160 by 2042. The structure is 52 ft (16 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Rd. 12 Mile
CrossesEmpire Canal
LocationJust E of CR S 101
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyAlamosa County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.40064, -106.02371
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating44.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length52 ft (16 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.8 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width36 ft (10.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic132 (2022)
Projected traffic160 by 2042
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in March 2025.

How much traffic does County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal carry?

About 132 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal?

The structure is 52 ft (16 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.8 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns County Rd. 12 Mile over Empire Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.