US Bridges

SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek

Fair

Weld County, Colorado · 9.6 MI N of JCT SH 14 · Structure no. B-22-M

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2025
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
130 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek in Weld County, Colorado. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 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 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 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 42% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,640 by 2040. The structure is 130 ft (39.7 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesSH 71 Ml
CrossesCottonwood Creek
Location9.6 MI N of JCT SH 14
RouteState Highway 71F
Coordinates40.74563, -103.68807
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating106.2 US tons
Inventory rating27.8 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length130 ft (39.7 m)
Longest span128 ft (39 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2020)
Projected traffic1,640 by 2040
Trucks42%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood 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 March 2025.

How much traffic does SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 42% are trucks.

How long is SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek?

The structure is 130 ft (39.7 m) long with a longest span of 128 ft (39 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns SH 71 Ml over Cottonwood Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.