CDOT says three Weld bridges 'structurally deficient'

Three bridges in Weld County have been rated "structurally deficient" by the Colorado Department of Transportation -- the same rating a bridge in Minneapolis, Minn., had before it collapsed Wednesday.

The bridges are located on U.S. 34 over the South Platte River east of Greeley, on U.S. 85 over the Latham Canal north of La Salle and the U.S. 34 ramp to southbound U.S. 85. All are located near Greeley.

Myron Hora, spokesman for CDOT, said work will begin on the U.S. 85 bridge over the Latham Canal shortly. The other two bridges haven't been budgeted for yet, but are eligible for federal funding because of their condition.

There are also 15 other bridges in Weld County that have been classified as "functionally obsolete," meaning they aren't as bad as the "structurally deficient" ones, but need work, primarily to the shoulders on the road.

"We do inspect these bridges," Hora said. "We do everything we can. We work to make them safe."

Greeley officials also diverted nearly $1 million away earlier this year from several projects including bridge inspection and maintenance after winter snow storms wreaked havoc on roads.

Roy Otto, Greeley city manager, said Greeley doesn't have many bridges to maintain, and that the bridges are small and mostly over the Poudre River.