US Bridges

County Road 53 over Dry Creek

Fair

Routt County, Colorado · 3.6 MI S of US HWY 40 · Structure no. 107005303.60936

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
35 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
165
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 53 over Dry Creek is a steel culvert carrying County Road 53 over Dry Creek in Routt County, Colorado. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 165 vehicles a day, roughly 40% of them trucks, projected to reach 197 by 2042. The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long and 97 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 53
CrossesDry Creek
Location3.6 MI S of US HWY 40
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRoutt County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.45721, -107.25284
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
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 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
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating110.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length35 ft (10.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width97 ft (29.6 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic165 (2023)
Projected traffic197 by 2042
Trucks40%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 53 over Dry Creek built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 53 over Dry Creek 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 53 over Dry Creek carry?

About 165 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 40% are trucks.

How long is County Road 53 over Dry Creek?

The structure is 35 ft (10.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 97 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 53 over Dry Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.