US Bridges

Fern Road over Coal Creek

Fair

Montrose County, Colorado · 3 MI SW of Olathe · Structure no. 085024A00.1069A

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
51
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fern Road over Coal Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fern Road over Coal Creek in Montrose County, Colorado. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 51 vehicles a day, projected to reach 59 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFern Road
CrossesCoal Creek
Location3 MI SW of Olathe
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMontrose County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.58762, -108.0251
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 inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.1 US tons
Inventory rating22.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.3 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.7 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic51 (2022)
Projected traffic59 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Fern Road over Coal Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fern Road over Coal 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Fern Road over Coal Creek carry?

About 51 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Fern Road over Coal Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.3 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.7 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Fern Road over Coal Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.