US Bridges

Onion Saddle over Cave Creek

Fair

Cochise County, Arizona · 1.4 MI Sw/O Silver Peak · Structure no. 030501000003257

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
75
2022 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Onion Saddle over Cave Creek is a concrete slab carrying Onion Saddle over Cave Creek in Cochise County, Arizona. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 6 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 75 vehicles a day, projected to reach 125 by 2040. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOnion Saddle
CrossesCave Creek
Location1.4 MI Sw/O Silver Peak
RouteFederal Lands Road 42
CountyCochise County
StateArizona
Coordinates31.88888, -109.20922
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating30.8 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2022)
Projected traffic125 by 2040
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$190,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Onion Saddle over Cave Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is Onion Saddle over Cave Creek 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 Onion Saddle over Cave Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Onion Saddle over Cave Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Onion Saddle over Cave Creek?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.