US Bridges

County Road 8A over Cow Creek

Good

Ouray County, Colorado · 0.4 MI East of US 550 · Structure no. OUR8A-0.5-04A

Built
2000
25 years old
Condition
Good
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
53
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 8A over Cow Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 8A over Cow Creek in Ouray County, Colorado. It was built in 2000, so it is 25 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 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 53 vehicles a day, projected to reach 58 by 2042. The structure is 60 ft (18.2 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 8A
CrossesCow Creek
Location0.4 MI East of US 550
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyOuray County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.22491, -107.7203
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating107.3 US tons
Inventory rating64.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.2 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.7 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic53 (2022)
Projected traffic58 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 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 8A over Cow Creek built?

It was built in 2000, making it 25 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 8A 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 8A over Cow Creek carry?

About 53 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 8A over Cow Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.2 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.7 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 8A over Cow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.