US Bridges

County Road 18 over Catlin Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · .2 MI W of CR 18 · Structure no. OT-18-17-28-67A

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
792
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 18 over Catlin Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 18 over Catlin Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 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 792 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 895 by 2042. The structure is 37 ft (11.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 18
CrossesCatlin Canal
Location.2 MI W of CR 18
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.05255, -103.74783
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating35.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length37 ft (11.2 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic792 (2022)
Projected traffic895 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 18 over Catlin Canal built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 18 over Catlin 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 18 over Catlin Canal carry?

About 792 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 18 over Catlin Canal?

The structure is 37 ft (11.2 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 18 over Catlin Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.