US Bridges

5th Avenue over Union Canal

Fair

Graham County, Arizona · 0.4 MI S JCT US 70 · Structure no. 09909

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,102
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

5th Avenue over Union Canal is a concrete slab carrying 5th 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 1,102 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,112 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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Carries5th Avenue
CrossesUnion Canal
Location0.4 MI S JCT US 70
RouteCity Street 0
CountyGraham County
StateArizona
Coordinates32.82929, -109.71252
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum 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 traffic1,102 (2022)
Projected traffic1,112 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 5th Avenue over Union Canal built?

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

What condition is 5th 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 5th Avenue over Union Canal carry?

About 1,102 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is 5th 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 5th Avenue over Union Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.