US Bridges

Watkins Road over Local Drainage

Fair

Arapahoe County, Colorado · 0.9 MI S of I-70 · Structure no. ARA 97-10.9

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
53 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,646
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watkins Road over Local Drainage is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Watkins Road over Local Drainage in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 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 3,646 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,449 by 2041. The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWatkins Road
CrossesLocal Drainage
Location0.9 MI S of I-70
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyArapahoe County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.72528, -104.60323
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to 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 rating41.9 US tons
Inventory rating25.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length53 ft (16.2 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.6 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,646 (2021)
Projected traffic4,449 by 2041
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 Watkins Road over Local Drainage built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Watkins Road over Local Drainage 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 Watkins Road over Local Drainage carry?

About 3,646 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Watkins Road over Local Drainage?

The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Watkins Road over Local Drainage?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.