US Bridges

Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart

Fair

Cochise County, Arizona · 2.6 MI Sw/O Portal Fire & · Structure no. 030501000003259

Built
1956
69 years old, rebuilt 1992
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
44 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
80
2022 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart is a concrete continuous slab carrying Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart in Cochise County, Arizona. It was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 1992, 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 80 vehicles a day, projected to reach 125 by 2040. The structure is 44 ft (13.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOnion Saddle
CrossesCave Creek-Stewart
Location2.6 MI Sw/O Portal Fire &
RouteFederal Lands Road 42
CountyCochise County
StateArizona
Coordinates31.8902, -109.16862
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating21.8 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length44 ft (13.5 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (2022)
Projected traffic125 by 2040
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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$300,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1992.

What condition is Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart?

The structure is 44 ft (13.5 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Onion Saddle over Cave Creek-Stewart?

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