US Bridges

County Road N over Timpas Creek

FairPosted for load

Otero County, Colorado · .1 MI E of CR 16.5 · Structure no. OT-N-15.5-12-59

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1966
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
122 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
22
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road N over Timpas Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying County Road N over Timpas Creek in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1966, so it is 90 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 22 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2042. The structure is 122 ft (37.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road N
CrossesTimpas Creek
Location.1 MI E of CR 16.5
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.82191, -103.77811
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating18.4 US tons
Inventory rating11 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length122 ft (37.1 m)
Longest span118 ft (36 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck11 ft (3.4 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic22 (2022)
Projected traffic25 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$3.6 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road N over Timpas Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1966.

What condition is County Road N over Timpas Creek 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 N over Timpas Creek carry?

About 22 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road N over Timpas Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.1 m) long with a longest span of 118 ft (36 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Road N over Timpas Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.