US Bridges

County Road 4W over Farmers Union Canal

Fair

Rio Grande County, Colorado · .5 N of CR 8N · Structure no. RGDW04-08.50N

Built
1962
63 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
80 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
122
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 4W over Farmers Union Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 4W over Farmers Union Canal in Rio Grande County, Colorado. It was built in 1962 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 63 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 122 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 142 by 2042. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 4W
CrossesFarmers Union Canal
Location.5 N of CR 8N
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRio Grande County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.69738, -106.22232
Functional classRural Minor 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
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being 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 rating53.5 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic122 (2022)
Projected traffic142 by 2042
Trucks2%
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 4W over Farmers Union Canal built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is County Road 4W 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 4W over Farmers Union Canal carry?

About 122 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road 4W over Farmers Union Canal?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 4W over Farmers Union Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.