US Bridges

County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · .9 MI N of SH 50 · Structure no. OT-15-14-31-050

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 6 by 2042. The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 15
CrossesRocky Ford Canal
Location.9 MI N of SH 50
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.09886, -103.80261
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating48.3 US tons
Inventory rating28.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length26 ft (7.8 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.8 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.3 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2022)
Projected traffic6 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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 15 over Rocky Ford Canal built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal 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 County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal?

The structure is 26 ft (7.8 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.8 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 15 over Rocky Ford Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.