US Bridges

County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek

Fair

Arapahoe County, Colorado · .4 Mile W of US 40 · Structure no. ARA 38-53.7

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
150 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
315
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 315 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 385 by 2041. The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 38
CrossesE. Bijou Creek
Location.4 Mile W of US 40
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyArapahoe County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.60938, -104.05135
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39.9 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20
Structure length150 ft (45.7 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic315 (2021)
Projected traffic385 by 2041
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 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 Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in November 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek carry?

About 315 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek?

The structure is 150 ft (45.7 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 38 over E. Bijou Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.