US Bridges

NM-197 over Rio Puerco

Fair

Sandoval County, New Mexico · 0.7 MI SW of JCT US 550 · Structure no. 000000000006268

Built
1962
63 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
126 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,159
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NM-197 over Rio Puerco is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying NM-197 over Rio Puerco in Sandoval County, New Mexico. It was built in 1962 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 63 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 1,159 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,576 by 2043. The structure is 126 ft (38.3 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesNM-197
CrossesRio Puerco
Location0.7 MI SW of JCT US 550
RouteState Highway 197
CountySandoval County
StateNew Mexico
Coordinates36.01057, -106.98066
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54.3 US tons
Inventory rating32.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length126 ft (38.3 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,159 (2023)
Projected traffic1,576 by 2043
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$330,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NM-197 over Rio Puerco built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is NM-197 over Rio Puerco 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does NM-197 over Rio Puerco carry?

About 1,159 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is NM-197 over Rio Puerco?

The structure is 126 ft (38.3 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns NM-197 over Rio Puerco?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.