US Bridges

County Road 8N over Farmers Union Canal

Fair

Rio Grande County, Colorado · .5 MI E of CR 5W · Structure no. RGDN08-04.50W

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 8N over Farmers Union Canal is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Road 8N over Farmers Union Canal in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 5 vehicles a day, projected to reach 5 by 2042. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 8N
CrossesFarmers Union Canal
Location.5 MI E of CR 5W
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.69001, -106.23182
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating16.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.5 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5 (2022)
Projected traffic5 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 8N over Farmers Union Canal built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 8N over Farmers Union 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 8N over Farmers Union Canal carry?

About 5 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 8N over Farmers Union Canal?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.5 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 8N over Farmers Union Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.