US Bridges

County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal

Poor

Gunnison County, Colorado · 1.2 MI W of Gunnison · Structure no. GUN016-03.80

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
74
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal in Gunnison County, Colorado. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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 74 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 85 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 16
CrossesGunnison R. Diver. Canal
Location1.2 MI W of Gunnison
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGunnison County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.53972, -106.95033
Functional classUrban 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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2024
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 geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating39.8 US tons
Inventory rating23.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.3 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.4 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic74 (2022)
Projected traffic85 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$852,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal carry?

About 74 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal?

The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.4 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 16 over Gunnison R. Diver. Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.