US Bridges

State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash

Fair

San Juan County, New Mexico · Near Fajada Butte. · Structure no. 7400002P0000000

Built
1975
50 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
220 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
200
2019 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash in San Juan County, New Mexico. It was built in 1975 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 50 years old, younger 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 300 by 2039. The structure is 220 ft (67.1 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesState Highway 57
CrossesChaco Wash
LocationNear Fajada Butte.
RouteFederal Lands Road 10
CountySan Juan County
StateNew Mexico
Coordinates36.02844, -107.91879
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 inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating29 US tons
Inventory rating17 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length220 ft (67.1 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.5 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2019)
Projected traffic300 by 2039
Trucks2%
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

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash?

The structure is 220 ft (67.1 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.5 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns State Highway 57 over Chaco Wash?

It is owned by the National Park Service.