US Bridges

County Road 16 over Otero Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · .2 MI S of CR Gg · Structure no. OT-16-15-28-063

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
188
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 16 over Otero Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 16 over Otero Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 188 vehicles a day, projected to reach 212 by 2042. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 16
CrossesOtero Canal
Location.2 MI S of CR Gg
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.066, -103.78447
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.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating45.7 US tons
Inventory rating27.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.3 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic188 (2022)
Projected traffic212 by 2042
Trucks0%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 16 over Otero Canal built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 16 over Otero 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 16 over Otero Canal carry?

About 188 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 16 over Otero Canal?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.3 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 16 over Otero Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.