US Bridges

Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek

Fair

Gunnison County, Colorado · 19.6 MI Wnw Crested Butte · Structure no. 020408000001037

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
1992 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek in Gunnison County, Colorado. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 30 vehicles a day, projected to reach 45 by 2045. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 49.7 mi (80 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road 709
CrossesAnthracite Creek
Location19.6 MI Wnw Crested Butte
RouteFederal Lands Road 709.1
CountyGunnison County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.92736, -107.34063
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating35.7 US tons
Inventory rating27.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.2 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.4 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (1992)
Projected traffic45 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed49.7 mi (80 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Road 709 over Anthracite 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (1992 count).

How long is Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.2 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road 709 over Anthracite Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.