US Bridges

Third St. over King Arroyo

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · Just E of SH 109 · Structure no. LJ 1-THIRD ST.

Built
1931
94 years old, rebuilt 1949
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
182 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,844
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Third St. over King Arroyo is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Third St. over King Arroyo in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1931 and reconstructed in 1949, so it is 94 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.

It carries about 1,844 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,083 by 2042. The structure is 182 ft (55.6 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesThird St.
CrossesKing Arroyo
LocationJust E of SH 109
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.98594, -103.53161
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40.3 US tons
Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length182 ft (55.6 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,844 (2022)
Projected traffic2,083 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Third St. over King Arroyo built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1949.

What condition is Third St. over King Arroyo 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 2023.

How much traffic does Third St. over King Arroyo carry?

About 1,844 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Third St. over King Arroyo?

The structure is 182 ft (55.6 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Third St. over King Arroyo?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.