US Bridges

Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal

Fair

Otero County, Colorado · N of SH 50/ W of 7th ST · Structure no. RFCHST-19-28-82

Built
1941
84 years old, rebuilt 1965
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
596
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal in Otero County, Colorado. It was built in 1941 and reconstructed in 1965, so it is 84 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.

It carries about 596 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 673 by 2042. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesChestnut Avenue
CrossesRocky Ford Canal
LocationN of SH 50/ W of 7th ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOtero County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.05769, -103.72433
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.5 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic596 (2022)
Projected traffic673 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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 Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1965.

What condition is Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford 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 Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal carry?

About 596 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.5 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Chestnut Avenue over Rocky Ford Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.