US Bridges

NM-161 over Mora River

Fair

Mora County, New Mexico · 1.5 MI N of JCT I-25 · Structure no. 000000000002550

Built
1934
91 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
378 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
205
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NM-161 over Mora River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NM-161 over Mora River in Mora County, New Mexico. It was built in 1934 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 91 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 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 205 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 278 by 2043. The structure is 378 ft (115.2 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesNM-161
CrossesMora River
Location1.5 MI N of JCT I-25
RouteState Highway 161
Coordinates35.7977, -104.98109
Functional classRural Minor 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
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 inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating64.3 US tons
Inventory rating39.2 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length378 ft (115.2 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic205 (2023)
Projected traffic278 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was NM-161 over Mora River built?

It was built in 1934, making it 91 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is NM-161 over Mora 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does NM-161 over Mora River carry?

About 205 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is NM-161 over Mora River?

The structure is 378 ft (115.2 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NM-161 over Mora River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.