US Bridges

County Road 21 over Catlin Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · .2 MI N of CR Cc · Structure no. OT21-20-24-108

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
104
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 21 over Catlin Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 21 over Catlin Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 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 104 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 117 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 21
CrossesCatlin Canal
Location.2 MI N of CR Cc
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.99922, -103.69269
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 rating32.5 US tons
Inventory rating19.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span26 ft (8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic104 (2022)
Projected traffic117 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Catlin Canal built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 21 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 21 over Catlin Canal carry?

About 104 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 21 over Catlin Canal?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 21 over Catlin Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.