US Bridges

County Road 21 over Govt. Highline Canal

Fair

Mesa County, Colorado · 1.1 MI N of RD M · Structure no. MESA-21-N.1

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
103
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 21 over Govt. Highline Canal is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Road 21 over Govt. Highline Canal in Mesa County, Colorado. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 6 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 103 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 121 by 2042. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 21
CrossesGovt. Highline Canal
Location1.1 MI N of RD M
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMesa County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.20406, -108.65981
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.7 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic103 (2022)
Projected traffic121 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 21 over Govt. Highline Canal built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 21 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 21 over Govt. Highline Canal carry?

About 103 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 21 over Govt. Highline Canal?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 21 over Govt. Highline Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.