US Bridges

Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek

Fair

Arapahoe County, Colorado · 0.3 MI W of Colorado Blvd · Structure no. CENT 46-5.6

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
63 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
24,040
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 24,040 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 29,329 by 2041. The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long and 61 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDry Creek Road
CrossesBig Dry Creek
Location0.3 MI W of Colorado Blvd
RouteCity Street 0
CountyArapahoe County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.5805, -104.94707
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 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 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 rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length63 ft (19.2 m)
Longest span59 ft (18.1 m)
Deck width61 ft (18.7 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic24,040 (2021)
Projected traffic29,329 by 2041
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Dry Creek 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 Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek carry?

About 24,040 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek?

The structure is 63 ft (19.2 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18.1 m) and a deck 61 ft wide.

Who owns Dry Creek Road over Big Dry Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.