US Bridges

County Road 543 over Huerfano River

Fair

Huerfano County, Colorado · 0.1 MI S of Gardner · Structure no. HU543-S0.1-S69

Built
2004
21 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
106
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 543 over Huerfano River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 543 over Huerfano River in Huerfano County, Colorado. It was built in 2004, so it is 21 years old, younger 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. Its operating status is: open, posting recommended but not legally implemented.

It carries about 106 vehicles a day, projected to reach 125 by 2042. The structure is 24 ft (7.4 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 543
CrossesHuerfano River
Location0.1 MI S of Gardner
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHuerfano County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.78152, -105.15983
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, posting recommended but not legally implemented
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating21.5 US tons
Inventory rating12.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.4 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic106 (2022)
Projected traffic125 by 2042
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

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$612,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 543 over Huerfano River built?

It was built in 2004, making it 21 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 543 over Huerfano River 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 543 over Huerfano River carry?

About 106 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 543 over Huerfano River?

The structure is 24 ft (7.4 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 543 over Huerfano River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.