US Bridges

Continental Road over Santa Cruz River

Fair

Pima County, Arizona · 3000 Ft E Abrego Road · Structure no. 08880

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
555 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
11,409
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Continental Road over Santa Cruz River is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Continental Road over Santa Cruz River in Pima County, Arizona. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 555 ft (169.2 m) long and 53 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

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CarriesContinental Road
CrossesSanta Cruz River
Location3000 Ft E Abrego Road
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPima County
StateArizona
Coordinates31.85468, -110.97964
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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadHS 20
Structure length555 ft (169.2 m)
Longest span92 ft (28 m)
Deck width53 ft (16.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 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 closed34.8 mi (56 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Continental Road over Santa Cruz River built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is Continental Road over Santa Cruz 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Continental Road over Santa Cruz River carry?

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

How long is Continental Road over Santa Cruz River?

The structure is 555 ft (169.2 m) long with a longest span of 92 ft (28 m) and a deck 53 ft wide.

Who owns Continental Road over Santa Cruz River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.