US Bridges

County Road 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal

FairPosted for load

Bent County, Colorado · 2 MI N of SH 50 · Structure no. BTPP-11-32.8-18

Built
1940
85 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
62 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
92
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal is a steel truss - thru carrying County Road 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal in Bent County, Colorado. It was built in 1940, so it is 85 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 92 vehicles a day, projected to reach 106 by 2042. The structure is 62 ft (18.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 11
CrossesFt. Lyon Canal
Location2 MI N of SH 50
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBent County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.11286, -103.21606
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
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating17 US tons
Inventory rating10.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length62 ft (18.8 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic92 (2022)
Projected traffic106 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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$1.2 million (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 11 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 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal carry?

About 92 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

The structure is 62 ft (18.8 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 11 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.