US Bridges

8th Avenue over Tempe Canal

Fair

Maricopa County, Arizona · 0.5 MI W Dobson · Structure no. 09391

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
66 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,375
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

8th Avenue over Tempe Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying 8th Avenue over Tempe Canal in Maricopa County, Arizona. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 2,375 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,385 by 2042. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 53 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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Carries8th Avenue
CrossesTempe Canal
Location0.5 MI W Dobson
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMaricopa County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.39997, -111.885
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width53 ft (16.2 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck20 ft (6.1 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,375 (2023)
Projected traffic2,385 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was 8th Avenue over Tempe Canal built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is 8th Avenue over Tempe Canal 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 2024.

How much traffic does 8th Avenue over Tempe Canal carry?

About 2,375 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 8th Avenue over Tempe Canal?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 53 ft wide.

Who owns 8th Avenue over Tempe Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.