US Bridges

County Road D.5 over Rio Grande Canal

Fair

Saguache County, Colorado · .5 MI W of CR 43 · Structure no. SAGD-42.5-3

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
137
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road D.5 over Rio Grande Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road D.5 over Rio Grande Canal in Saguache County, Colorado. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 137 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 169 by 2042. The structure is 41 ft (12.4 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road D.5
CrossesRio Grande Canal
Location.5 MI W of CR 43
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySaguache County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.79517, -106.22941
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating29 US tons
Inventory rating17.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length41 ft (12.4 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic137 (2022)
Projected traffic169 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 D.5 over Rio Grande Canal built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road D.5 over Rio Grande 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does County Road D.5 over Rio Grande Canal carry?

About 137 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is County Road D.5 over Rio Grande Canal?

The structure is 41 ft (12.4 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns County Road D.5 over Rio Grande Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.