US Bridges

Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch

Fair

El Paso County, Colorado · S of Nelson and Oconnell · Structure no. P85092

Built
2018
7 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
25 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2015 count
Owner
Federal
Army

About this bridge

Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch is a concrete culvert carrying Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch in El Paso County, Colorado. It was built in 2018, so it is 7 years old, younger 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 250 by 2044. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 47 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesNelson Blvd.
CrossesDrainage Ditch
LocationS of Nelson and Oconnell
CountyEl Paso County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.75263, -104.7793
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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.7 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHL 93
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.5 m)
Deck width47 ft (14.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2015)
Projected traffic250 by 2044
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRelief for waterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerArmy
Maintained byArmy
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$10,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 2018, making it 7 years old in 2025.

What condition is Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.5 m) and a deck 47 ft wide.

Who owns Nelson Blvd. over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the Army.