How long is the Costilla Crossing Bridge in Colorado?
The Costilla Crossing Bridge (officially known as the Lobatos Bridge or Historic Lobatos Iron Bridge) is a historic double-span wrought iron truss bridge spanning 95.7 meters (313.9 ft) across the Rio Grande in southern Colorado, USA. Located in the high desert of the San Luis Valley on County Road G between Antonito and Jaroso, it links Conejos County and Costilla County. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
| Road facts: Costilla Crossing Bridge (Lobatos Bridge) | |
|---|---|
| Location | Conejos / Costilla Counties, Colorado (USA) |
| Route Designation | County Road G |
| Total Length | 95.7 m (313.9 ft) across 2 spans |
| Structure Type | Wrought iron Thacher through truss (Hybrid Pratt/Howe design) |
| Build Date / Rehabilitation | Built 1892 (Wrought Iron Bridge Co.) / Rehabilitated 2006 |
| Geographic Distinction | Oldest vehicular truss bridge over the Rio Grande in Colorado |
| Surface | Single-lane wooden deck on unpaved/gravel road approach |
Where is the Costilla Crossing Bridge located?
The bridge sits on County Road G in the San Luis Valley, east of Antonito and north of the New Mexico border. It is the southernmost vehicular bridge crossing the Rio Grande within the state of Colorado; south of this point, the next structure crossing the river canyon is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, New Mexico.
What type of bridge is the Lobatos Bridge?
Built in 1892 by Joseph F. Thomas of the Wrought Iron Bridge Company and designed by engineer Edwin Thacher, the structure uses the extremely rare Thacher Truss design—a patented hybrid system combining features of Pratt and Howe trusses. It replaced an earlier cable car system to provide the first permanent wagon crossing over the river in the area. The state completed a structural rehabilitation in 2006 to preserve the ironwork.
Can you drive across the Costilla Crossing Bridge?
Yes. The bridge remains in service for local traffic between Conejos and Costilla counties as a single-lane crossing. Drivers must check for oncoming vehicles before entering the narrow iron portal frame.
What are the driving conditions on the Costilla Crossing Bridge?
County Road G consists of unpaved dirt and gravel tracks leading up to the single-lane crossing. The wooden deck boards rattle under tire weight, and the narrow single-car width leaves zero clearance to pass oncoming traffic inside the iron truss frame.
Pic: Kit Robertson