US Bridges

County Road 21 over Rocky Ford Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · .1 MI N of CR DD.5 · Structure no. OT-21-20-27-104

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
243
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 21 over Rocky Ford Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 21 over Rocky Ford Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 2019, 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 243 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 274 by 2042. The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 21
CrossesRocky Ford Canal
Location.1 MI N of CR DD.5
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.03441, -103.69258
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 rating74.8 US tons
Inventory rating44.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length29 ft (8.9 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic243 (2022)
Projected traffic274 by 2042
Trucks2%
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

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 21 over Rocky Ford Canal built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is County Road 21 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 21 over Rocky Ford Canal carry?

About 243 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 21 over Rocky Ford Canal?

The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 21 over Rocky Ford Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.