US Bridges

County Road 18 over Sand Creek

FairPosted for load

Washington County, Colorado · 0.3 MI E of CO RD S · Structure no. WTN18-S.30

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 18 over Sand Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 18 over Sand Creek in Washington County, Colorado. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 31 by 2042. The structure is 38 ft (11.7 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 18
CrossesSand Creek
Location0.3 MI E of CO RD S
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWashington County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.82661, -103.39956
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating11.7 US tons
Inventory rating7.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.7 m)
Longest span36 ft (11.1 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2023)
Projected traffic31 by 2042
Trucks10%
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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$102,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 18 over Sand Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 18 over Sand 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 2023.

How much traffic does County Road 18 over Sand Creek carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Road 18 over Sand Creek?

The structure is 38 ft (11.7 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11.1 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 18 over Sand Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.