US Bridges

Central Avenue over Union Canal

Fair

Graham County, Arizona · 0.4 MI S JCT US 70 · Structure no. 09908

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,685
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Central Avenue over Union Canal is a concrete slab carrying Central Avenue over Union Canal in Graham County, Arizona. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 1,685 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,695 by 2042. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 53 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesCentral Avenue
CrossesUnion Canal
Location0.4 MI S JCT US 70
RouteCity Street 0
CountyGraham County
StateArizona
Coordinates32.82909, -109.71129
Functional classUrban 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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width53 ft (16.2 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,685 (2022)
Projected traffic1,695 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Central Avenue over Union Canal built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Central Avenue over Union Canal 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Central Avenue over Union Canal carry?

About 1,685 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Central Avenue over Union Canal?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 53 ft wide.

Who owns Central Avenue over Union Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.