US Bridges

County Road U over Kiowa Creek

Fair

Morgan County, Colorado · 0.7 MI E of CO RD 3 · Structure no. MGU-0.7-3-A

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
151 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
68
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road U over Kiowa Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road U over Kiowa Creek in Morgan County, Colorado. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 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 68 vehicles a day, roughly 49% of them trucks, projected to reach 87 by 2043. The structure is 151 ft (46 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road U
CrossesKiowa Creek
Location0.7 MI E of CO RD 3
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMorgan County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.29092, -104.07869
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.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating26.5 US tons
Inventory rating15.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length151 ft (46 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic68 (2023)
Projected traffic87 by 2043
Trucks49%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 County Road U over Kiowa Creek built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road U over Kiowa 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does County Road U over Kiowa Creek carry?

About 68 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 49% are trucks.

How long is County Road U over Kiowa Creek?

The structure is 151 ft (46 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road U over Kiowa Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.