US Bridges

SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek

Fair

Weld County, Colorado · 5.3 MI E of JCT I 25 · Structure no. D-17-BU

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Concrete
Length
94 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
13,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek is a concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek in Weld County, Colorado. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 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 13,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,330 by 2040. The structure is 94 ft (28.7 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

CarriesSH 52 Ml
CrossesLittle Dry Creek
Location5.3 MI E of JCT I 25
RouteState Highway 52A
Coordinates40.07999, -104.88473
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating77.3 US tons
Inventory rating46.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length94 ft (28.7 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,000 (2020)
Projected traffic18,330 by 2040
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$483,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is SH 52 Ml over Little Dry 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek carry?

About 13,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek?

The structure is 94 ft (28.7 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns SH 52 Ml over Little Dry Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.