US Bridges

County Road 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal

Fair

Bent County, Colorado · .7 MI N of SH 194 · Structure no. BT35-3.5-31-14A

Built
1991
34 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
49
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal in Bent County, Colorado. It was built in 1991, so it is 34 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 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 49 vehicles a day, projected to reach 56 by 2042. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 3.5
CrossesFt. Lyon Canal
Location.7 MI N of SH 194
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBent County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.09214, -103.35031
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating58 US tons
Inventory rating34.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic49 (2022)
Projected traffic56 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 County Road 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal built?

It was built in 1991, making it 34 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 3.5 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 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal carry?

About 49 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 3.5 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.