US Bridges

County Road 7S over Empire Canal

Fair

Rio Grande County, Colorado · .3 MI E of CR 4E · Structure no. RGDS07-04.40EA

Built
1968
57 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
41
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 7S over Empire Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 7S over Empire Canal in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1968 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 57 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 41 vehicles a day, projected to reach 48 by 2042. The structure is 60 ft (18.2 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 7S
CrossesEmpire Canal
Location.3 MI E of CR 4E
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.47337, -106.06865
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67.9 US tons
Inventory rating40.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length60 ft (18.2 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic41 (2022)
Projected traffic48 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 7S over Empire Canal built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is County Road 7S over Empire 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 7S over Empire Canal carry?

About 41 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 7S over Empire Canal?

The structure is 60 ft (18.2 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 7S over Empire Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.