US Bridges

County Road 56L over Fall Creek

Fair

San Miguel County, Colorado · 3.5 MI S of SH 145 · Structure no. SMG56L-0.0-18A

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
104
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 56L over Fall Creek is a prestressed concrete tee beam carrying County Road 56L over Fall Creek in San Miguel County, Colorado. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 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 104 vehicles a day, projected to reach 118 by 2042. The structure is 41 ft (12.6 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 56L
CrossesFall Creek
Location3.5 MI S of SH 145
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySan Miguel County
StateColorado
Coordinates37.94314, -108.03647
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating65.3 US tons
Inventory rating38.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length41 ft (12.6 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.7 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic104 (2022)
Projected traffic118 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 56L over Fall Creek built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 56L over Fall 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 56L over Fall Creek carry?

About 104 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 56L over Fall Creek?

The structure is 41 ft (12.6 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.7 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 56L over Fall Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.