US Bridges

County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek

Fair

Garfield County, Colorado · 5.5 MI N of CR 245 · Structure no. GAR243-05.56

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
44
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek in Garfield County, Colorado. It was built in 1957, 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 5 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 44 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 56 by 2042. The structure is 52 ft (16 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 243
CrossesMain Elk Creek
Location5.5 MI N of CR 245
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGarfield County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.67747, -107.57244
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating40.9 US tons
Inventory rating24.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length52 ft (16 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic44 (2023)
Projected traffic56 by 2042
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$248,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek built?

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

What condition is County Road 243 over Main Elk 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek carry?

About 44 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (16 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 243 over Main Elk Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.