US Bridges

County Road 44.3 over Fish Creek

FairPosted for load

Dolores County, Colorado · Update · Structure no. DOL-006

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 1999
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
53 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
21
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 44.3 over Fish Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 44.3 over Fish Creek in Dolores County, Colorado. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 1999, so it is 65 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 21 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 25 by 2042. The structure is 53 ft (16.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 44.3
CrossesFish Creek
LocationUpdate
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyDolores County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.72869, -108.24086
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 rating38.1 US tons
Inventory rating22.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length53 ft (16.3 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.5 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21 (2022)
Projected traffic25 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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 44.3 over Fish Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1999.

What condition is County Road 44.3 over Fish 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 44.3 over Fish Creek carry?

About 21 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 44.3 over Fish Creek?

The structure is 53 ft (16.3 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.5 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 44.3 over Fish Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.