US Bridges

County Road 344 over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Chaffee County, Colorado · 100 Ft S of CR 306 · Structure no. CHA344-10.40A

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
105
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 344 over Cottonwood Creek is a steel arch - deck carrying County Road 344 over Cottonwood Creek in Chaffee County, Colorado. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 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 105 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 128 by 2042. The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long and 70 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 344
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location100 Ft S of CR 306
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyChaffee County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.8053, -106.24707
Functional classRural Major 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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating55.4 US tons
Inventory rating33.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.2 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.2 m)
Deck width70 ft (21.2 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic105 (2022)
Projected traffic128 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 344 over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 344 over Cottonwood 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 344 over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 105 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 344 over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.2 m) and a deck 70 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 344 over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.