US Bridges

Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek

Good

El Paso County, Colorado · 0.6 MI N of Sweet Road · Structure no. EPC0503-01.65

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Good
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
169
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek in El Paso County, Colorado. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 169 vehicles a day, projected to reach 221 by 2040. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 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
Location0.6 MI N of Sweet Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyEl Paso County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.0796, -104.34887
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation7: Better than 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 rating53.4 US tons
Inventory rating31.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span33 ft (10 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic169 (2020)
Projected traffic221 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$137,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

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

About 169 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Fairplay Road over Big Sandy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.