US Bridges

County Road E over Rio Grande Canal

Fair

Saguache County, Colorado · .6 MI W of CR 43 · Structure no. SAGE-42.4-04

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
18
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road E over Rio Grande Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road E over Rio Grande Canal in Saguache County, Colorado. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 18 vehicles a day, projected to reach 22 by 2042. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road E
CrossesRio Grande Canal
Location.6 MI W of CR 43
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySaguache County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.80655, -106.23053
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionJanuary 2025
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating36.6 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic18 (2022)
Projected traffic22 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 E over Rio Grande Canal built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road E 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 E over Rio Grande Canal carry?

About 18 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road E over Rio Grande Canal?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road E over Rio Grande Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.