US Bridges

Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River

Fair

Santa Cruz County, Arizona · 0.5 MI E JCT I 19 · Structure no. 08170

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
265 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
10,449
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 10,449 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,459 by 2042. The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRio Rico Drive
CrossesSanta Cruz River
Location0.5 MI E JCT I 19
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountySanta Cruz County
StateArizona
Coordinates31.4695, -110.9928
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length265 ft (80.8 m)
Longest span67 ft (20.4 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,449 (2024)
Projected traffic10,459 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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$2,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rio Rico Drive 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 Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River carry?

About 10,449 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River?

The structure is 265 ft (80.8 m) long with a longest span of 67 ft (20.4 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Rio Rico Drive over Santa Cruz River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.