US Bridges

County Road 47 over Arkansas River

PoorPosted for load

Fremont County, Colorado · .2 MI NW of US 50 · Structure no. FRCO 302-CHERRY

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1960
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2025
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
102 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
132
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 47 over Arkansas River is a steel truss - thru carrying County Road 47 over Arkansas River in Fremont County, Colorado. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1960, so it is 95 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 132 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 148 by 2042. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 47
CrossesArkansas River
Location.2 MI NW of US 50
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyFremont County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.43065, -105.81301
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating11.4 US tons
Inventory rating6.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span97 ft (29.6 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic132 (2022)
Projected traffic148 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.8 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 47 over Arkansas River built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1960.

What condition is County Road 47 over Arkansas River 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 47 over Arkansas River carry?

About 132 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 47 over Arkansas River?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 97 ft (29.6 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 47 over Arkansas River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.