US Bridges

County Road 178 over Bijou Creek

Fair

Elbert County, Colorado · 0.4 Mile West of I-70 · Structure no. ELBT-178-3.7-02

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
70 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
41
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 178 over Bijou Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Road 178 over Bijou Creek in Elbert County, Colorado. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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.

It carries about 41 vehicles a day, projected to reach 52 by 2040. The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 178
CrossesBijou Creek
Location0.4 Mile West of I-70
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyElbert County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.50572, -103.97988
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length70 ft (21.3 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic41 (2020)
Projected traffic52 by 2040
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 178 over Bijou Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 178 over Bijou 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 178 over Bijou Creek carry?

About 41 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is County Road 178 over Bijou Creek?

The structure is 70 ft (21.3 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 178 over Bijou Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.