US Bridges

Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal

Fair

Maricopa County, Arizona · 0.15 MI West of 59th Ave · Structure no. 09793

Built
1983
42 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
56 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
32,368
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal is a concrete continuous slab carrying Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal in Maricopa County, Arizona. It was built in 1983, so it is 42 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 32,368 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 32,378 by 2042. The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long and 82 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesThunderbird Road
CrossesArizona Canal
Location0.15 MI West of 59th Ave
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMaricopa County
StateArizona
Coordinates33.61072, -112.19017
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length56 ft (17.1 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width82 ft (24.9 m)
Roadway width68 ft (20.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic32,368 (2023)
Projected traffic32,378 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$1,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal built?

It was built in 1983, making it 42 years old in 2025.

What condition is Thunderbird Road over Arizona 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 Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal carry?

About 32,368 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal?

The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 82 ft wide.

Who owns Thunderbird Road over Arizona Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.