US Bridges

Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River

Fair

Montezuma County, Colorado · 2 MI North of New Mexico · Structure no. P-02-A

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
124 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,000
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River is a concrete tee beam carrying Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River in Montezuma County, Colorado. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 6 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 4,000 vehicles a day, roughly 15% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,680 by 2038. The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 62.1 mi (100 km).

CarriesIrr# US 491 Ml
CrossesMancos River
Location2 MI North of New Mexico
RouteU.S. Route 491A
Coordinates37.02678, -108.74392
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79.3 US tons
Inventory rating47.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length124 ft (37.8 m)
Longest span39 ft (12 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,000 (2018)
Projected traffic4,680 by 2038
Trucks15%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed62.1 mi (100 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkNon-Interstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River carry?

About 4,000 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 15% are trucks.

How long is Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River?

The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (12 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Irr# US 491 Ml over Mancos River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.