US Bridges

County Road 21 over Culebra Creek

Fair

Costilla County, Colorado · Just SE of CR L.7 · Structure no. CS242-S0.4-SMME

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
94 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
475
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 21 over Culebra Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying County Road 21 over Culebra Creek in Costilla County, Colorado. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 475 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 532 by 2042. The structure is 94 ft (28.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 21
CrossesCulebra Creek
LocationJust SE of CR L.7
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCostilla County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.15157, -105.39891
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length94 ft (28.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.7 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic475 (2022)
Projected traffic532 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 21 over Culebra Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 21 over Culebra 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 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 21 over Culebra Creek carry?

About 475 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 21 over Culebra Creek?

The structure is 94 ft (28.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.7 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 21 over Culebra Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.