US Bridges

County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek

FairPosted for load

Montrose County, Colorado · 2 MI of US 550 · Structure no. 085041A02.90045

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
260
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek in Montrose County, Colorado. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 260 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 301 by 2042. The structure is 25 ft (7.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 6400
CrossesHappy Canyon Creek
Location2 MI of US 550
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMontrose County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.4258, -107.8913
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 rating15.2 US tons
Inventory rating9.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.5 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic260 (2022)
Projected traffic301 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$929,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon 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 County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek carry?

About 260 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.5 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 6400 over Happy Canyon Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.