US Bridges

Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal

Fair

Larimer County, Colorado · 100 Ft W of Meadowlark Av · Structure no. FCMRSN-0.0-RYMT

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
660
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal in Larimer County, Colorado. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 660 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 825 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesMorsman Drive
CrossesNew Mercer Canal
Location100 Ft W of Meadowlark Av
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLarimer County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.54944, -105.08675
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionApril 2023
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 geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
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 typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.5 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic660 (2023)
Projected traffic825 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal carry?

About 660 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal?

The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns Morsman Drive over New Mercer Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.