US Bridges

Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch

Fair

Pueblo County, Colorado · Intersection Lake/Adams · Structure no. PUELAK-0.0-SMAL

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
403
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch is a concrete slab carrying Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch in Pueblo County, Colorado. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 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 403 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 476 by 2041. The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long and 78 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLake Ave.
CrossesBessemer Ditch
LocationIntersection Lake/Adams
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPueblo County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.25101, -104.62545
Functional classUrban 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
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 inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.4 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width78 ft (23.7 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic403 (2021)
Projected traffic476 by 2041
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch carry?

About 403 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch?

The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 78 ft wide.

Who owns Lake Ave. over Bessemer Ditch?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.