US Bridges

County Road 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · 1.9 MI N of CR Mm · Structure no. OT-31-30-36-170

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
82 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
272
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Road 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 272 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 307 by 2042. The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 31
CrossesFort Lyon Storage Canal
Location1.9 MI N of CR Mm
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.17116, -103.50942
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 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 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length82 ft (25 m)
Longest span79 ft (24.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic272 (2022)
Projected traffic307 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 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 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 31 over Fort Lyon Storage 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 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal carry?

About 272 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal?

The structure is 82 ft (25 m) long with a longest span of 79 ft (24.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 31 over Fort Lyon Storage Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.