US Bridges

NM-196 over Costilla Creek

Fair

Taos County, New Mexico · 2.05 MI E of JCT Nm 522 · Structure no. 000000000005749

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
102 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
633
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NM-196 over Costilla Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying NM-196 over Costilla Creek in Taos County, New Mexico. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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.

It carries about 633 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 860 by 2043. The structure is 102 ft (31 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNM-196
CrossesCostilla Creek
Location2.05 MI E of JCT Nm 522
RouteState Highway 196
CountyTaos County
StateNew Mexico
Coordinates36.96664, -105.50715
Functional classRural Minor 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
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating33.8 US tons
Inventory rating20.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length102 ft (31 m)
Longest span26 ft (8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic633 (2023)
Projected traffic860 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$397,000 (2030 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NM-196 over Costilla Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is NM-196 over Costilla 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does NM-196 over Costilla Creek carry?

About 633 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is NM-196 over Costilla Creek?

The structure is 102 ft (31 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns NM-196 over Costilla Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.