US Bridges

Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek

Fair

Jefferson County, Colorado · Forest Hill RD S HWY 74 · Structure no. B-18-17

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2025
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
26 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
791
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek is a concrete culvert carrying Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek in Jefferson County, Colorado. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 6 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 791 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 909 by 2040. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Hill Road
CrossesBear Creek
LocationForest Hill RD S HWY 74
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJefferson County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.6338, -105.31679
Functional classUrban 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic791 (2020)
Projected traffic909 by 2040
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is Forest Hill Road over 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 Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 791 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Hill Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.