US Bridges

County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River

Fair

Las Animas County, Colorado · 0.2 MI N of SH 12 · Structure no. LA31.9-17-10-6A

Built
1996
29 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
73 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
194
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River in Las Animas County, Colorado. It was built in 1996 and reconstructed in 1998, 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 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 194 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 239 by 2042. The structure is 73 ft (22.1 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.2 mi (39 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty RD 31.9
CrossesPurgatoire River
Location0.2 MI N of SH 12
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLas Animas County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.13179, -104.84694
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating29.7 US tons
Inventory rating17.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length73 ft (22.1 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.3 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic194 (2022)
Projected traffic239 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.2 mi (39 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 RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River carry?

About 194 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River?

The structure is 73 ft (22.1 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.3 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County RD 31.9 over Purgatoire River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.