NM501 over Omega Road West Road

Fair

Los Alamos County, New Mexico · JCT.NM501 and Omega Road · Structure no. 000000000007622

Built: 1951; 74 years old, rebuilt 1992
Condition: Fair; inspected June 2024
Type: Arch - Deck; Steel
Length: 820 ft; 1 main span
Daily traffic: 8,118; 2022 count
Owner: Unknown

About this bridge

NM501 over Omega Road West Road is a steel arch - deck carrying NM501 over Omega Road West Road in Los Alamos County, New Mexico. It was built in 1951 and reconstructed in 1992, so it is 74 years old, older than the New Mexico average of 51.5 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 8,118 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,118 by 2036. The structure is 820 ft (249.8 m) long and 55 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesNM501

CrossesOmega Road West Road

LocationJCT.NM501 and Omega Road

RouteState Highway 501

CountyLos Alamos County

StateNew Mexico

Coordinates35.88, -106.32194

Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	9 Excellent	No problems noted.

Last inspectionJune 2024

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations on dry land well above flood water elevations

Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action

Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement

Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating16.4 US tons

Inventory rating12.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck

MaterialSteel

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans1 (+6 approach)

Design loadH 20

Structure length820 ft (249.8 m)

Longest span443 ft (134.9 m)

Deck width55 ft (16.9 m)

Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,118 (2022)

Projected traffic8,118 by 2036

Trucks3%

Lanes on structure4

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway and pedestrian

CrossesHighway and waterway

Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNot reported

Maintained byNot reported

Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time

Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength

Estimated improvement cost—

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NM501 over Omega Road West Road built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1992.

What condition is NM501 over Omega Road West Road 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does NM501 over Omega Road West Road carry?

About 8,118 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is NM501 over Omega Road West Road?

The structure is 820 ft (249.8 m) long with a longest span of 443 ft (134.9 m) and a deck 55 ft wide.

Who owns NM501 over Omega Road West Road?

It is owned by the owner is not reported.