US Bridges

Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · 0.1 MI S of Colorado Ave. · Structure no. BOLD-51-MONROE

Built
2020
5 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,175
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 2020, so it is 5 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 1,175 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,410 by 2042. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMonroe Drive
CrossesEmpson Ditch
Location0.1 MI S of Colorado Ave.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.00689, -105.24297
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
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 above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.2 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,175 (2023)
Projected traffic1,410 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch built?

It was built in 2020, making it 5 years old in 2025.

What condition is Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch 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 Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch carry?

About 1,175 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Monroe Drive over Empson Ditch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.