US Bridges

Hover Road over St. Vrain River

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · 100 Ft S of 3rd Avenue · Structure no. LONG-HOVER-3RD

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
101 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
26,762
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Hover Road over St. Vrain River is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Hover Road over St. Vrain River in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 65 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 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 26,762 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 32,115 by 2043. The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long and 84 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesHover Road
CrossesSt. Vrain River
Location100 Ft S of 3rd Avenue
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.16619, -105.13097
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 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 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 rating78.7 US tons
Inventory rating47.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length101 ft (30.8 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width84 ft (25.7 m)
Roadway width64 ft (19.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic26,762 (2023)
Projected traffic32,115 by 2043
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure5
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 Hover Road over St. Vrain River built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Hover Road over St. Vrain River 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 Hover Road over St. Vrain River carry?

About 26,762 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Hover Road over St. Vrain River?

The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 84 ft wide.

Who owns Hover Road over St. Vrain River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.