US Bridges

Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Box Canyon Wash

Fair

Greenlee County, Arizona · 8.9 MI S JCT US 180 · Structure no. 11456

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
30
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Box Canyon Wash is a concrete slab carrying Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Box Canyon Wash in Greenlee County, Arizona. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 15 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
CrossesBox Canyon Wash
Location8.9 MI S JCT US 180
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGreenlee County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.73426, -109.05745
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating68 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.5 m)
Roadway width13 ft (3.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

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 Box Canyon Wash built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Box Canyon Wash 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 Box Canyon Wash carry?

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

How long is Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Box Canyon Wash?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Box Canyon Wash?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.