US Bridges

Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway

FairPosted for load

De Baca County, New Mexico · 12 Miles NW of Ft Sumner · Structure no. 0401-FS1

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
154 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2006 count
Owner
Federal
Bureau of Reclamation

About this bridge

Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway is a concrete tee beam carrying Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway in De Baca County, New Mexico. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2035. The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesHighway NM203
CrossesSumner Dam Spillway
Location12 Miles NW of Ft Sumner
RouteFederal Lands Road 203
CountyDe Baca County
StateNew Mexico
Coordinates34.60739, -104.3898
Functional classRural 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
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 inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating16.8 US tons
Inventory rating12.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length154 ft (46.9 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2006)
Projected traffic50 by 2035
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerBureau of Reclamation
Maintained byBureau of Reclamation
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 Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2006 count).

How long is Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway?

The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Highway NM203 over Sumner Dam Spillway?

It is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation.