US Bridges

Airport Road over Little Colorado River

Good

Apache County, Arizona · 0.4 MI W JCT US 180 · Structure no. 09050

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Good
inspected May 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
95 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,500
2022 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Airport Road over Little Colorado River is a concrete continuous slab carrying Airport Road over Little Colorado River in Apache County, Arizona. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 years old, older than the Arizona average of 47.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,500 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,510 by 2042. The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesAirport Road
CrossesLittle Colorado River
Location0.4 MI W JCT US 180
RouteCity Street 0
CountyApache County
StateArizona
Coordinates34.1324, -109.2952
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length95 ft (29 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,500 (2022)
Projected traffic1,510 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Airport Road over Little Colorado River built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is Airport Road over Little Colorado River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Airport Road over Little Colorado River carry?

About 1,500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Airport Road over Little Colorado River?

The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Airport Road over Little Colorado River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.