US Bridges

County Road M over Horse Creek

FairPosted for load

Lincoln County, Colorado · 0.2 MI East of SH 71 · Structure no. LIN-M-20.1

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
100 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
37
2020 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road M over Horse Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road M over Horse Creek in Lincoln County, Colorado. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 years old, older 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 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 37 vehicles a day, projected to reach 47 by 2040. The structure is 100 ft (30.6 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road M
CrossesHorse Creek
Location0.2 MI East of SH 71
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLincoln County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.68075, -103.70303
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating7.6 US tons
Inventory rating3.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length100 ft (30.6 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic37 (2020)
Projected traffic47 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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road M over Horse Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road M over Horse Creek 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 Road M over Horse Creek carry?

About 37 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is County Road M over Horse Creek?

The structure is 100 ft (30.6 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road M over Horse Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.