US Bridges

County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal

FairPosted for load

Rio Grande County, Colorado · MI E of CR 15 · Structure no. RGD023-00.70

Built
1924
101 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
61 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
53
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal is a steel truss - thru carrying County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1924, so it is 101 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 53 vehicles a day, projected to reach 61 by 2042. The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 23
CrossesRio Grande Canal
LocationMI E of CR 15
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.70759, -106.33272
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating27.3 US tons
Inventory rating16.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length61 ft (18.6 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic53 (2022)
Projected traffic61 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$683,000 (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal carry?

About 53 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal?

The structure is 61 ft (18.6 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 23 over Rio Grande Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.