US Bridges

County Road 166 over Arkansas River

Fair

Chaffee County, Colorado · 2.2 MI E of SH285 · Structure no. CHA166-00.05A

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
129 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
222
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 166 over Arkansas River is a steel truss - thru carrying County Road 166 over Arkansas River in Chaffee County, Colorado. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 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 222 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 271 by 2042. The structure is 129 ft (39.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 166
CrossesArkansas River
Location2.2 MI E of SH285
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyChaffee County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.5613, -106.04546
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating39.5 US tons
Inventory rating23.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length129 ft (39.2 m)
Longest span123 ft (37.5 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic222 (2022)
Projected traffic271 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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 County Road 166 over Arkansas River built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 166 over Arkansas 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 166 over Arkansas River carry?

About 222 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 166 over Arkansas River?

The structure is 129 ft (39.2 m) long with a longest span of 123 ft (37.5 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 166 over Arkansas River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.