US Bridges

County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch

PoorPosted for load

Las Animas County, Colorado · .2 MI S of CR 38 · Structure no. LA79-40-19-59

Built
1945
80 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
47
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch is a concrete girder and floorbeam system carrying County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch in Las Animas County, Colorado. It was built in 1945, so it is 80 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 47 vehicles a day, projected to reach 57 by 2042. The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty RD 79.0
CrossesFeeder Ditch
Location.2 MI S of CR 38
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLas Animas County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.26103, -104.43053
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating10 US tons
Inventory rating8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.3 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic47 (2022)
Projected traffic57 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$987,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch built?

It was built in 1945, making it 80 years old in 2025.

What condition is County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch carry?

About 47 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch?

The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County RD 79.0 over Feeder Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.