US Bridges

Tower Road over Local Drainage

Fair

Arapahoe County, Colorado · 0.1 MI N of Amherst Avenu · Structure no. AUR15.1-N.0

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2021
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
46 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
20,232
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tower Road over Local Drainage is a concrete culvert carrying Tower Road over Local Drainage in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 20,232 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 24,683 by 2041. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long and 238 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTower Road
CrossesLocal Drainage
Location0.1 MI N of Amherst Avenu
RouteCity Street 0
CountyArapahoe County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.66714, -104.77216
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating54 US tons
Inventory rating32.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.8 m)
Deck width238 ft (72.6 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,232 (2021)
Projected traffic24,683 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Local Drainage built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tower 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 2021.

How much traffic does Tower Road over Local Drainage carry?

About 20,232 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Tower Road over Local Drainage?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.8 m) and a deck 238 ft wide.

Who owns Tower Road over Local Drainage?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.