US Bridges

County Road 6E over Rio Grande River

Fair

Rio Grande County, Colorado · 6.0 MI E of Monte Vista · Structure no. RGDE06-00.30S

Built
1972
53 years old, rebuilt 1999
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
140 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,202
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 6E over Rio Grande River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 6E over Rio Grande River in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1972 and reconstructed in 1999, so it is 53 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 6 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 1,202 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,394 by 2042. The structure is 140 ft (42.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 6E
CrossesRio Grande River
Location6.0 MI E of Monte Vista
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.57018, -106.0393
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating42.9 US tons
Inventory rating32.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length140 ft (42.8 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,202 (2022)
Projected traffic1,394 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 6E over Rio Grande River built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1999.

What condition is County Road 6E over Rio Grande River 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 6E over Rio Grande River carry?

About 1,202 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Road 6E over Rio Grande River?

The structure is 140 ft (42.8 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 6E over Rio Grande River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.