US Bridges

Tower Road over Piney Creek

Fair

Arapahoe County, Colorado · 0.4 MI S of Orchard RD · Structure no. ARA 61-14.8

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
147 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
4,463
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tower Road over Piney Creek is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tower Road over Piney Creek in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 years old, younger 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 6 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 4,463 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,445 by 2041. The structure is 147 ft (44.9 m) long and 46 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTower Road
CrossesPiney Creek
Location0.4 MI S of Orchard RD
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyArapahoe County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.60399, -104.77559
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating52.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length147 ft (44.9 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width46 ft (14.1 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,463 (2021)
Projected traffic5,445 by 2041
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Tower Road over Piney Creek built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tower Road over Piney 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 Tower Road over Piney Creek carry?

About 4,463 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Tower Road over Piney Creek?

The structure is 147 ft (44.9 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 46 ft wide.

Who owns Tower Road over Piney Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.