US Bridges

Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · 50 Ft S of Canyon Blvd · Structure no. BOLD-16-1.3-02A

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
93 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
7,200
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 7,200 vehicles a day, roughly 14% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,640 by 2041. The structure is 93 ft (28.4 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesArapahoe Avenue
CrossesBoulder Creek
Location50 Ft S of Canyon Blvd
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.01304, -105.29791
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating69.7 US tons
Inventory rating27.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length93 ft (28.4 m)
Longest span90 ft (27.4 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,200 (2021)
Projected traffic8,640 by 2041
Trucks14%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Arapahoe Avenue 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 Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek carry?

About 7,200 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 14% are trucks.

How long is Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek?

The structure is 93 ft (28.4 m) long with a longest span of 90 ft (27.4 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Arapahoe Avenue over Boulder Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.