US Bridges

County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal

FairPosted for load

Bent County, Colorado · 1 MI N of CR W · Structure no. BT34-35-42.5-35

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
46
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal in Bent County, Colorado. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 46 vehicles a day, projected to reach 52 by 2042. The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 34
CrossesFt. Lyon Canal
Location1 MI N of CR W
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBent County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.25911, -102.77941
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating27.7 US tons
Inventory rating16.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.3 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic46 (2022)
Projected traffic52 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$891,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal carry?

About 46 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 34 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.