US Bridges

Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · 0.5 MI S of Arapahoe Ave · Structure no. BOLD-52-EISEN

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,860
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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.

It carries about 1,860 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,232 by 2042. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 64 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesEisenhower Drive
CrossesEmpson Ditch
Location0.5 MI S of Arapahoe Ave
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.0072, -105.23488
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width64 ft (19.4 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,860 (2023)
Projected traffic2,232 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 Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Eisenhower 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 Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch carry?

About 1,860 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 64 ft wide.

Who owns Eisenhower Drive over Empson Ditch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.