El Paso County Bridge Report Card
El Paso County scores 89 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
El Paso County, Colorado
El Paso County has 685 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 19 rated poor and 14 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 2.8% is at or below the 4.6% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 122,965 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives El Paso County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 89/100 (B). The county has 685 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 19 in poor condition and 14 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 122,965 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 2.8% | 5.5 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.3% of measured traffic | 1.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 2.0% | 4.1 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 41 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 9,471,997 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 2.8% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 4.6% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 2.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 41 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 122,965 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in El Paso County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 85 Ml over Fountain Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,000 | 1965 |
| US 85 Ml over Fountain Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11,000 | 1930 |
| Bijou Street over Shooks Run | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 932 | 1938 |
| US 85 Ml over I 25 Ml | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,000 | 1956 |
| Platte Avenue over Shooks Run | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 18,034 | 1902 |
| Circle Drive EB over Fountain Creek | Ped Pat | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,339 | 1963 |
| Circle Drive EB over Rdwy | Uprr | Bnsf Rr | | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,339 | 1963 |
| El Paso Street over Platte Avenue | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 7,042 | 1939 |
| SH 94 Ml over Big Spring Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,800 | 1968 |
| Ute Pass Avenue over Fountain Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,763 | 1968 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.