US Bridges

County Road 3E over Empire Canal

Good

Rio Grande County, Colorado · 1.1 MI N of SH 160 · Structure no. RGDE03-00.20NA

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Good
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,134
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 3E over Empire Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 3E over Empire Canal in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 2,134 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,476 by 2042. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 3E
CrossesEmpire Canal
Location1.1 MI N of SH 160
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.57606, -106.09412
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating73.6 US tons
Inventory rating44.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,134 (2022)
Projected traffic2,476 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 3E over Empire Canal built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 3E over Empire Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in December 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 3E over Empire Canal carry?

About 2,134 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Road 3E over Empire Canal?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 3E over Empire Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.