US Bridges

County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal

Good

Mesa County, Colorado · .1 MI S of US 6 · Structure no. MESA-38.8-F.9A

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Good
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
66 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
236
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal in Mesa County, Colorado. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 236 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 276 by 2042. The structure is 66 ft (20.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 38.8
CrossesOrchard Mesa Canal
Location.1 MI S of US 6
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMesa County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.10536, -108.33427
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating54.2 US tons
Inventory rating32.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length66 ft (20.2 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic236 (2022)
Projected traffic276 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 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in March 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal carry?

About 236 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal?

The structure is 66 ft (20.2 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 38.8 over Orchard Mesa Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.