US Bridges

County Road E over Smith Canyon

FairPosted for load

Otero County, Colorado · .5 MI SW of SH 109 · Structure no. OT-E-35-04-208

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
161 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
83
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road E over Smith Canyon is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road E over Smith Canyon in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 83 vehicles a day, projected to reach 94 by 2042. The structure is 161 ft (49.2 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.9 mi (32 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road E
CrossesSmith Canyon
Location.5 MI SW of SH 109
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.69952, -103.42414
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating17.2 US tons
Inventory rating10.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length161 ft (49.2 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic83 (2022)
Projected traffic94 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.9 mi (32 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.8 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road E over Smith Canyon built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road E over Smith Canyon 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 E over Smith Canyon carry?

About 83 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road E over Smith Canyon?

The structure is 161 ft (49.2 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns County Road E over Smith Canyon?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.