US Bridges

County Road L over Little Salt Wash

Fair

Mesa County, Colorado · .1 MI E of RD 18.5 · Structure no. MESA-L-18.7A

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
350
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road L over Little Salt Wash is a steel culvert carrying County Road L over Little Salt Wash in Mesa County, Colorado. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 410 by 2042. The structure is 25 ft (7.7 m) long and 72 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road L
CrossesLittle Salt Wash
Location.1 MI E of RD 18.5
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMesa County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.1788, -108.70933
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating103.2 US tons
Inventory rating61.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length25 ft (7.7 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.7 m)
Deck width72 ft (21.8 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic350 (2022)
Projected traffic410 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 L over Little Salt Wash built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road L over Little Salt Wash 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 L over Little Salt Wash carry?

About 350 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road L over Little Salt Wash?

The structure is 25 ft (7.7 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.7 m) and a deck 72 ft wide.

Who owns County Road L over Little Salt Wash?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.