US Bridges

51st Street over Dry Wash

Fair

Maricopa County, Arizona · 0.02 MI N of Elliot Road · Structure no. 08767

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2021
Type
Culvert
Concrete Continuous
Length
68 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
5,000
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

51st Street over Dry Wash is a concrete continuous culvert carrying 51st Street over Dry Wash in Maricopa County, Arizona. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 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 5,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,010 by 2041. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 70 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries51st Street
CrossesDry Wash
Location0.02 MI N of Elliot Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMaricopa County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.3493, -111.9759
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckNot applicable
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width70 ft (21.3 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,000 (2021)
Projected traffic5,010 by 2041
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 51st Street over Dry Wash built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is 51st Street over Dry 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 February 2021.

How much traffic does 51st Street over Dry Wash carry?

About 5,000 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 51st Street over Dry Wash?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m) and a deck 70 ft wide.

Who owns 51st Street over Dry Wash?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.