US Bridges

County Road 3 over Cat Creek

Fair

Prowers County, Colorado · 1 MI S of CR P · Structure no. PR3-2-12.2-74

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
28 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
13
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 3 over Cat Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying County Road 3 over Cat Creek in Prowers County, Colorado. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 13 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2042. The structure is 28 ft (8.6 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 3
CrossesCat Creek
Location1 MI S of CR P
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyProwers County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.82582, -102.70354
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.6 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13 (2022)
Projected traffic15 by 2042
Trucks0%
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 statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$439,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 3 over Cat Creek built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 3 over Cat Creek 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 3 over Cat Creek carry?

About 13 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 3 over Cat Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.6 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 3 over Cat Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.