US Bridges

County Road 38A over LA Garita Creek

Fair

Saguache County, Colorado · .6 MI N of CR 32A · Structure no. SAG38A-5.1-13A

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
39 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
121
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 38A over LA Garita Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 38A over LA Garita Creek in Saguache County, Colorado. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger 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 121 vehicles a day, projected to reach 148 by 2042. The structure is 39 ft (11.8 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 38A
CrossesLA Garita Creek
Location.6 MI N of CR 32A
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySaguache County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.81582, -106.28407
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating28.1 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length39 ft (11.8 m)
Longest span36 ft (11.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic121 (2022)
Projected traffic148 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 38A over LA Garita Creek built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 38A over LA Garita 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does County Road 38A over LA Garita Creek carry?

About 121 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 38A over LA Garita Creek?

The structure is 39 ft (11.8 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 38A over LA Garita Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.