US Bridges

County Road 38 over Boulder Creek

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · 1.5 MI W of CO RD 901 · Structure no. BC-38-6.7-BO1

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
96 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,640
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 38 over Boulder Creek is a prestressed concrete continuous tee beam carrying County Road 38 over Boulder Creek in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 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 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 1,640 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,968 by 2043. The structure is 96 ft (29.4 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 38
CrossesBoulder Creek
Location1.5 MI W of CO RD 901
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.06973, -105.08328
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating66.4 US tons
Inventory rating41.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length96 ft (29.4 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.7 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,640 (2023)
Projected traffic1,968 by 2043
Trucks10%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 38 over Boulder Creek built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 38 over Boulder 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 38 over Boulder Creek carry?

About 1,640 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 38 over Boulder Creek?

The structure is 96 ft (29.4 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 38 over Boulder Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.