US Bridges

River Road over Santa Cruz River

FairPosted for load

Santa Cruz County, Arizona · 0.1 MI W JCT SR 82 · Structure no. 08166

Built
1916
109 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
460 ft
11 main spans
Daily traffic
840
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Santa Cruz River is a concrete tee beam carrying River Road over Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. It was built in 1916, so it is 109 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 840 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 850 by 2042. The structure is 460 ft (140.2 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.2 mi (26 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesSanta Cruz River
Location0.1 MI W JCT SR 82
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateArizona
Coordinates31.3889, -110.8748
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans11
Design loadH 15
Structure length460 ft (140.2 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck15 ft (4.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic840 (2024)
Projected traffic850 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.2 mi (26 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on 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 River Road over Santa Cruz River built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025.

What condition is River 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 August 2024.

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

About 840 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Santa Cruz River?

The structure is 460 ft (140.2 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Santa Cruz River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.