US Bridges

County Road 3W over Rio Grande River

Fair

Rio Grande County, Colorado · .5 MI S of CR 4N · Structure no. RGDW03-03.60N

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
141 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
244
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 3W over Rio Grande River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 3W over Rio Grande River in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 244 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 283 by 2042. The structure is 141 ft (43.1 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 3W
CrossesRio Grande River
Location.5 MI S of CR 4N
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.62419, -106.20423
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
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating51.7 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length141 ft (43.1 m)
Longest span69 ft (20.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic244 (2022)
Projected traffic283 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 3W over Rio Grande River built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 3W 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 3W over Rio Grande River carry?

About 244 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 3W over Rio Grande River?

The structure is 141 ft (43.1 m) long with a longest span of 69 ft (20.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 3W over Rio Grande River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.