US Bridges

County Road 8 over Cow Creek

Good

Ouray County, Colorado · 5.0 MI E of US 550 · Structure no. OUR8-4.4-03A

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
93 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
164
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 8 over Cow Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 8 over Cow Creek in Ouray County, Colorado. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 164 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 180 by 2042. The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 8
CrossesCow Creek
Location5.0 MI E of US 550
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOuray County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.19108, -107.6668
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating94.8 US tons
Inventory rating53.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length93 ft (28.3 m)
Longest span87 ft (26.5 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic164 (2022)
Projected traffic180 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 8 over Cow Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 8 over Cow Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 8 over Cow Creek carry?

About 164 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 8 over Cow Creek?

The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long with a longest span of 87 ft (26.5 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 8 over Cow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.