US Bridges

Priest Drive over Salt River

Fair

Maricopa County, Arizona · 0.25 MI S of Washington S · Structure no. 07875

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
973 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
25,376
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Priest Drive over Salt River is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Priest Drive over Salt River in Maricopa County, Arizona. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 years old, younger 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 25,376 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 25,386 by 2042. The structure is 973 ft (296.6 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesPriest Drive
CrossesSalt River
Location0.25 MI S of Washington S
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMaricopa County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.434, -111.9612
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.1 US tons
Inventory rating25 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadHS 20
Structure length973 ft (296.6 m)
Longest span121 ft (36.9 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.7 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deck25 ft (7.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25,376 (2023)
Projected traffic25,386 by 2042
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$4,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Priest Drive over Salt River built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Priest Drive over Salt 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Priest Drive over Salt River carry?

About 25,376 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Priest Drive over Salt River?

The structure is 973 ft (296.6 m) long with a longest span of 121 ft (36.9 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns Priest Drive over Salt River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.