US Bridges

Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek

Fair

Arapahoe County, Colorado · .7 MI E of Broadway · Structure no. CENT 38-4.2

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
7,806
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 7,806 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,524 by 2041. The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long and 61 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOrchard Road
CrossesBig Dry Creek
Location.7 MI E of Broadway
RouteCity Street 0
CountyArapahoe County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.60964, -104.97496
Functional classUrban 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to 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 rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length40 ft (12.3 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width61 ft (18.6 m)
Roadway width53 ft (16.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,806 (2021)
Projected traffic9,524 by 2041
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure3
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

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 Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Orchard Road over Big Dry 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek carry?

About 7,806 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 61 ft wide.

Who owns Orchard Road over Big Dry Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.