US Bridges

Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek

Fair

Montezuma County, Colorado · 8.1 MI W of Cortez · Structure no. 083000J00.1012A

Built
1930
95 years old, rebuilt 1984
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
105 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
62
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek in Montezuma County, Colorado. It was built in 1930 and reconstructed in 1984, so it is 95 years old, older 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. Its operating status is: open, posting recommended but not legally implemented.

It carries about 62 vehicles a day, projected to reach 69 by 2042. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesIrr# Co.Rd. J
CrossesMcelmo Creek
Location8.1 MI W of Cortez
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMontezuma County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.33549, -108.73755
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, posting recommended but not legally implemented
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating16.8 US tons
Inventory rating10 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span95 ft (29.1 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic62 (2022)
Projected traffic69 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$954,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1984.

What condition is Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek carry?

About 62 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 95 ft (29.1 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Irr# Co.Rd. J over Mcelmo Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.