US Bridges

Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch

Fair

Pima County, Arizona · 0.1 MI E Nogales HWY · Structure no. 08879

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
94 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11,409
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch in Pima County, Arizona. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 5 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 11,409 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,419 by 2042. The structure is 94 ft (28.7 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesContinental Road
CrossesSanta Cruz-West Branch
Location0.1 MI E Nogales HWY
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPima County
StateArizona
Coordinates31.85224, -110.98608
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating74 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length94 ft (28.7 m)
Longest span90 ft (27.4 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.3 m)
Roadway width51 ft (15.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,409 (2022)
Projected traffic11,419 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch carry?

About 11,409 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch?

The structure is 94 ft (28.7 m) long with a longest span of 90 ft (27.4 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns Continental Road over Santa Cruz-West Branch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.