US Bridges

Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch

Poor

El Paso County, Colorado · 500 Ft SE of Chiles Ave. · Structure no. T85139

Built
1942
83 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
61 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2015 count
Owner
Federal
Army

About this bridge

Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch in El Paso County, Colorado. It was built in 1942, so it is 83 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2044. The structure is 61 ft (18.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesWickersham Blvd.
CrossesB Ditch
Location500 Ft SE of Chiles Ave.
CountyEl Paso County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.76355, -104.8026
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.5 US tons
Inventory rating28.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length61 ft (18.5 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2015)
Projected traffic30 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch built?

It was built in 1942, making it 83 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2015 count).

How long is Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch?

The structure is 61 ft (18.5 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Wickersham Blvd. over B Ditch?

It is owned by the Army.