US Bridges

County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek

Good

Larimer County, Colorado · 0.2 MI W of CO RD 31 · Structure no. LR18E-W0.2-31-A

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Good
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
112 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,911
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek in Larimer County, Colorado. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 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 1,911 vehicles a day, roughly 24% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,389 by 2043. The structure is 112 ft (34 m) long and 39 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 18E
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location0.2 MI W of CO RD 31
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLarimer County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.37531, -105.23056
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating99.5 US tons
Inventory rating46.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length112 ft (34 m)
Longest span106 ft (32.2 m)
Deck width39 ft (11.9 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,911 (2023)
Projected traffic2,389 by 2043
Trucks24%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 18E over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 1,911 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 24% are trucks.

How long is County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 112 ft (34 m) long with a longest span of 106 ft (32.2 m) and a deck 39 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 18E over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.