US Bridges

County Road 550 over Muddy Creek

Fair

Huerfano County, Colorado · 0.7 MI W of Gardner · Structure no. HU550-S0.0-S69A

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
122 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
266
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 550 over Muddy Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 550 over Muddy Creek in Huerfano County, Colorado. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 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.

It carries about 266 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 313 by 2042. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 550
CrossesMuddy Creek
Location0.7 MI W of Gardner
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyHuerfano County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.78293, -105.1783
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.4 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.5 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic266 (2022)
Projected traffic313 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 550 over Muddy Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 550 over Muddy 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 550 over Muddy Creek carry?

About 266 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 550 over Muddy Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.5 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 550 over Muddy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.