US Bridges

County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River

FairPosted for load

Otero County, Colorado · .2 MI E of CR 5 · Structure no. OTHH.5-4-30-018

Built
1918
107 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
119 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
22
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River is a concrete arch - deck carrying County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1918, so it is 107 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 119 ft (36.2 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road HH.5
CrossesApishapa River
Location.2 MI E of CR 5
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.09073, -103.98157
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
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating20 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length119 ft (36.2 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.5 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.3 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

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 closed3.7 mi (6 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$2.4 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River built?

It was built in 1918, making it 107 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River carry?

About 22 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River?

The structure is 119 ft (36.2 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.5 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns County Road HH.5 over Apishapa River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.