US Bridges

County Road N.3 over Big Salt Wash

Fair

Mesa County, Colorado · .3 MI N of RD N · Structure no. MESA-N.3-17.5A

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
147
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road N.3 over Big Salt Wash is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road N.3 over Big Salt Wash 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 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 147 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 172 by 2042. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road N.3
CrossesBig Salt Wash
Location.3 MI N of RD N
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMesa County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.21267, -108.72944
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating41.4 US tons
Inventory rating24.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span36 ft (11.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic147 (2022)
Projected traffic172 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 N.3 over Big Salt Wash built?

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

What condition is County Road N.3 over Big 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 N.3 over Big Salt Wash carry?

About 147 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road N.3 over Big Salt Wash?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road N.3 over Big Salt Wash?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.