US Bridges

County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal

Poor

Prowers County, Colorado · .3 MI N of CR Uu · Structure no. PR7-6-40.4-15

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
30 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
28
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal in Prowers County, Colorado. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 28 vehicles a day, projected to reach 33 by 2042. The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 7
CrossesFt. Lyon Canal
Location.3 MI N of CR Uu
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyProwers County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.2355, -102.6324
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating26.3 US tons
Inventory rating15.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length30 ft (9.2 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28 (2022)
Projected traffic33 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$576,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal carry?

About 28 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

The structure is 30 ft (9.2 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 7 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.