US Bridges

County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal

Fair

Weld County, Colorado · 0.5 MI E of CO RD 65 · Structure no. WEL050.0-065.0A

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
57 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
84
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal in Weld 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 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 84 vehicles a day, roughly 69% of them trucks, projected to reach 119 by 2042. The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 50
CrossesEmpire Intake Canal
Location0.5 MI E of CO RD 65
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWeld County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.34872, -104.43686
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating44.8 US tons
Inventory rating26.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length57 ft (17.4 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.6 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic84 (2023)
Projected traffic119 by 2042
Trucks69%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal built?

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

What condition is County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal carry?

About 84 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 69% are trucks.

How long is County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal?

The structure is 57 ft (17.4 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.6 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 50 over Empire Intake Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.