US Bridges

Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1

Fair

Boulder County, Colorado · 0.2 MI S of Nelson Road · Structure no. LONG-HOVER-NEL

Built
1985
40 years old, rebuilt 2017
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
45 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
29,369
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1 is a concrete culvert carrying Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1 in Boulder County, Colorado. It was built in 1985 and reconstructed in 2017, so it is 40 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 29,369 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 35,243 by 2043. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 130 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesHover Road
CrossesDry Creek No. 1
Location0.2 MI S of Nelson Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBoulder County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.14914, -105.13092
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.4 m)
Deck width130 ft (39.5 m)
Roadway width78 ft (23.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29,369 (2023)
Projected traffic35,243 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure4
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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1 built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2017.

What condition is Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1 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 Dry Creek No. 1 carry?

About 29,369 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.4 m) and a deck 130 ft wide.

Who owns Hover Road over Dry Creek No. 1?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.