US Bridges

North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly

Fair

Apache County, Arizona · Route 64 (north Rim Drive · Structure no. 7390001P0000000

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
272 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
750
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly in Apache County, Arizona. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 years old, older than the Arizona average of 47.8 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 750 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,000 by 2039. The structure is 272 ft (83 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 75.2 mi (121 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNorth Rim Drive
CrossesRio De Chelly
LocationRoute 64 (north Rim Drive
RouteFederal Lands Road 64
CountyApache County
StateArizona
Coordinates36.15431, -109.53786
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating31 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length272 ft (83 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic750 (2019)
Projected traffic1,000 by 2039
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed75.2 mi (121 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$263,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly carry?

About 750 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly?

The structure is 272 ft (83 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns North Rim Drive over Rio De Chelly?

It is owned by the National Park Service.