US Bridges

Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek

Fair

El Paso County, Colorado · 0.5 MI N of Sweet Road · Structure no. EPC0503-01.44

Built
1957
68 years old, rebuilt 1994
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
81 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
167
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek in El Paso County, Colorado. It was built in 1957 and reconstructed in 1994, so it is 68 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 167 vehicles a day, projected to reach 219 by 2040. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFairplay Road
CrossesBig Sandy Creek
Location0.5 MI N of Sweet Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyEl Paso County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.07756, -104.3489
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating36.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans5
Design loadUnknown
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span19 ft (5.9 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic167 (2020)
Projected traffic219 by 2040
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1994.

What condition is Fairplay Road over Big Sandy 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek carry?

About 167 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 19 ft (5.9 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.