US Bridges

Public Road over Coal Creek

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · .25 M N of JCT US HWY 287 · Structure no. LAF-PUBRD-003

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
46 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10,350
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Public Road over Coal Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Public Road over Coal Creek in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 98 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 10,350 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 12,420 by 2043. The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPublic Road
CrossesCoal Creek
Location.25 M N of JCT US HWY 287
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.97964, -105.09056
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating57.2 US tons
Inventory rating34.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length46 ft (14 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.7 m)
Roadway width39 ft (12 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,350 (2023)
Projected traffic12,420 by 2043
Trucks9%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Public Road over Coal Creek built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is Public Road over Coal 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Public Road over Coal Creek carry?

About 10,350 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Public Road over Coal Creek?

The structure is 46 ft (14 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns Public Road over Coal Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.