US Bridges

County Road 21 over Sand Creek

Fair

Washington County, Colorado · 0.1 Mi. E. of Co. Rd. Q · Structure no. WTN21-Q.10

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
80 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
21
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 21 over Sand Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 21 over Sand Creek in Washington County, Colorado. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 21 vehicles a day, roughly 44% of them trucks, projected to reach 27 by 2042. The structure is 80 ft (24.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 21
CrossesSand Creek
Location0.1 Mi. E. of Co. Rd. Q
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWashington County
StateColorado
Coordinates39.87058, -103.438
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating35.1 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length80 ft (24.5 m)
Longest span39 ft (12 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21 (2023)
Projected traffic27 by 2042
Trucks44%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 21 over Sand Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 21 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 21 over Sand Creek carry?

About 21 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 44% are trucks.

How long is County Road 21 over Sand Creek?

The structure is 80 ft (24.5 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (12 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 21 over Sand Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.