US Bridges

County Road 31 over Hell Creek

Fair

Kit Carson County, Colorado · 0.9 Miles South of Road M · Structure no. KITC-31-2.90A02

Built
1991
34 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
82 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
403
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 31 over Hell Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 31 over Hell Creek in Kit Carson County, Colorado. It was built in 1991, so it is 34 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 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 403 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 468 by 2042. The structure is 82 ft (25.1 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 31
CrossesHell Creek
Location0.9 Miles South of Road M
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyKit Carson County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.52028, -102.59264
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55.4 US tons
Inventory rating33.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length82 ft (25.1 m)
Longest span75 ft (23 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic403 (2022)
Projected traffic468 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 31 over Hell Creek built?

It was built in 1991, making it 34 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 31 over Hell 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 31 over Hell Creek carry?

About 403 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 31 over Hell Creek?

The structure is 82 ft (25.1 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (23 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 31 over Hell Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.