US Bridges

Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Blue River

Fair

Greenlee County, Arizona · 16.6 MI S JCT US 180 · Structure no. 11459

Built
1950
75 years old, rebuilt 1975
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
126 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Blue River is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Blue River in Greenlee County, Arizona. It was built in 1950 and reconstructed in 1975, so it is 75 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 30 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 40 by 2041. The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long and 17 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
CrossesBlue River
Location16.6 MI S JCT US 180
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyGreenlee County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.65862, -109.09443
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 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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length126 ft (38.4 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.6 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck16 ft (4.9 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 Blue River built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1975.

What condition is Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Blue River 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 Blue River carry?

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

How long is Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Blue River?

The structure is 126 ft (38.4 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.6 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Riv Rd-Fr 281 over Blue River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.