US Bridges

County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Colorado · 4.5 MI W Evrgn Lake JCT · Structure no. A-18-25

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2025
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,046
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek is a steel arch - deck carrying County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek in Jefferson County, Colorado. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 1,046 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,203 by 2040. The structure is 23 ft (7.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 74 | U
CrossesUpper Bear Creek
Location4.5 MI W Evrgn Lake JCT
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJefferson County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.63672, -105.39727
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
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.3 US tons
Inventory rating30.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length23 ft (7.1 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,046 (2020)
Projected traffic1,203 by 2040
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear 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 March 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek carry?

About 1,046 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7.1 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 74 | U over Upper Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.