US Bridges

SH 257 Ml over Draw

Fair

Weld County, Colorado · 2.2 MI No of JCT US 34 · Structure no. C-17-CZ

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
70 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
12,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 257 Ml over Draw is a concrete tee beam carrying SH 257 Ml over Draw in Weld County, Colorado. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 12,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,840 by 2040. The structure is 70 ft (21.2 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesSH 257 Ml
CrossesDraw
Location2.2 MI No of JCT US 34
RouteState Highway 257A
Coordinates40.43683, -104.88673
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating72.4 US tons
Inventory rating43.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckOther
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length70 ft (21.2 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,000 (2020)
Projected traffic18,840 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$360,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 257 Ml over Draw built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is SH 257 Ml over Draw 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does SH 257 Ml over Draw carry?

About 12,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is SH 257 Ml over Draw?

The structure is 70 ft (21.2 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns SH 257 Ml over Draw?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.