US Bridges

County Road 162 over Chalk Creek

PoorPosted for load

Chaffee County, Colorado · At St. ELMO/60 Ft S CR267 · Structure no. CHA162-05.50

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2025
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
102
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 162 over Chalk Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Road 162 over Chalk Creek in Chaffee County, Colorado. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 3 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 102 vehicles a day, projected to reach 124 by 2042. The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 162
CrossesChalk Creek
LocationAt St. ELMO/60 Ft S CR267
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyChaffee County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.70389, -106.34631
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating24.7 US tons
Inventory rating14.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.3 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.9 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic102 (2022)
Projected traffic124 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$891,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 162 over Chalk Creek built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 162 over Chalk Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 162 over Chalk Creek carry?

About 102 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 162 over Chalk Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.9 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 162 over Chalk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.