US Bridges

County Road 33 over Hell Creek

PoorClosed to traffic

Lincoln County, Colorado · 0.7 Mile South of Road 3K · Structure no. LIN-33-3J.3

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
42 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
20
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 33 over Hell Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 33 over Hell Creek in Lincoln County, Colorado. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2040. The structure is 42 ft (12.9 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 33
CrossesHell Creek
Location0.7 Mile South of Road 3K
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLincoln County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.3058, -103.45409
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.8 US tons
Inventory rating37.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length42 ft (12.9 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width20 ft (6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2020)
Projected traffic25 by 2040
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 33 over Hell Creek built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 33 over Hell Creek 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 33 over Hell Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is County Road 33 over Hell Creek?

The structure is 42 ft (12.9 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 33 over Hell Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.