US Bridges

NM-72 over Yankee Creek

Fair

Colfax County, New Mexico · 5.5 MI E of JCT LOOP-17 · Structure no. 000000000005465

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
127 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
136
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NM-72 over Yankee Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying NM-72 over Yankee Creek in Colfax County, New Mexico. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 years old, older than the New Mexico average of 51.5 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 136 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 184 by 2043. The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

CarriesNM-72
CrossesYankee Creek
Location5.5 MI E of JCT LOOP-17
RouteState Highway 72
Coordinates36.92302, -104.36166
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.5 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 15
Structure length127 ft (38.7 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic136 (2023)
Projected traffic184 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$210,000 (2030 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NM-72 over Yankee Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is NM-72 over Yankee 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does NM-72 over Yankee Creek carry?

About 136 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is NM-72 over Yankee Creek?

The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns NM-72 over Yankee Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.