US Bridges

County Road E over Towaoc Canal

Good

Montezuma County, Colorado · 5 MI South of Cortez CO · Structure no. 0405-7112

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Good
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
66 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
100
2021 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Reclamation

About this bridge

County Road E over Towaoc Canal is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road E over Towaoc Canal in Montezuma County, Colorado. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 100 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2035. The structure is 66 ft (20 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road E
CrossesTowaoc Canal
Location5 MI South of Cortez CO
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMontezuma County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.28306, -108.59694
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating29.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length66 ft (20 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2021)
Projected traffic20 by 2035
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Reclamation
Maintained byBureau of Reclamation
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 E over Towaoc Canal built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road E over Towaoc 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does County Road E over Towaoc Canal carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is County Road E over Towaoc Canal?

The structure is 66 ft (20 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Road E over Towaoc Canal?

It is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation.