US Bridges

S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch

Good

Larimer County, Colorado · At Laporte Ave. · Structure no. FCTAFT-0.0-LAPT

Built
2004
21 years old
Condition
Good
inspected April 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11,742
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch in Larimer County, Colorado. It was built in 2004, so it is 21 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 11,742 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,678 by 2043. The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long and 96 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesS. Taft Hill Road
CrossesMercer Ditch
LocationAt Laporte Ave.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLarimer County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.58908, -105.11511
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating98.8 US tons
Inventory rating59.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (7.8 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.3 m)
Deck width96 ft (29.2 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,742 (2023)
Projected traffic14,678 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure4
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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$166,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch built?

It was built in 2004, making it 21 years old in 2025.

What condition is S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2023.

How much traffic does S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch carry?

About 11,742 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch?

The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.3 m) and a deck 96 ft wide.

Who owns S. Taft Hill Road over Mercer Ditch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.