US Bridges

Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek

Fair

Greenlee County, Arizona · 7.5 MI S JCT US 180 · Structure no. 11454

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek is a concrete slab carrying Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek in Greenlee County, Arizona. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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 30 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 40 by 2041. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlue Riv Rd-Fr 281
CrossesTurkey Creek
Location7.5 MI S JCT US 180
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGreenlee County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.74384, -109.06946
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating65 US tons
Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck20 ft (6.1 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2021)
Projected traffic40 by 2041
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Turkey Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.