US Bridges

US 50 Business over Draw

Fair

Pueblo County, Colorado · Just E. of Avondale · Structure no. L-19-F

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 1937
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
102 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
840
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 50 Business over Draw is a concrete slab carrying US 50 Business over Draw in Pueblo County, Colorado. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 1937, so it is 98 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 840 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 882 by 2040. The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS 50 Business
CrossesDraw
LocationJust E. of Avondale
RouteU.S. Route 50C
CountyPueblo County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.23648, -104.33972
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length102 ft (31.1 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic840 (2020)
Projected traffic882 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.9 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 50 Business over Draw built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1937.

What condition is US 50 Business over Draw 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does US 50 Business over Draw carry?

About 840 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is US 50 Business over Draw?

The structure is 102 ft (31.1 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns US 50 Business over Draw?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.