US Bridges

County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal

Fair

Mesa County, Colorado · 8.9 MI NE of JCT US 6 · Structure no. MESA-18-Q.01A

Built
1983
42 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
106
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal in Mesa County, Colorado. It was built in 1983, so it is 42 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 106 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 125 by 2042. The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 18
CrossesGovt. Highline Canal
Location8.9 MI NE of JCT US 6
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMesa County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.25125, -108.71961
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33.6 US tons
Inventory rating20.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.2 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic106 (2022)
Projected traffic125 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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 18 over Govt. Highline Canal built?

It was built in 1983, making it 42 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal carry?

About 106 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal?

The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 18 over Govt. Highline Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.