Pinto Creek Bridge
Photos
Pinto Creek Bridge
Looking East
Photo taken by Royce and Bobette Haley in August 2014
BH Photo #296602
Description
AZDOT blog on bridge's replacement and demolition:https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/bridge-too-tough-die-appreciatio...
Facts
- Overview
- Steel arch bridge over Pinto Creek on US 60
- Location
- Gila County, Arizona
- Status
- Replaced by a new bridge
- Future prospects
- Replacement work begun October 2019, slated for completion late 2021, including demolition of old span after completion of replacement. Old span imploded Oct. 27, 2021.
- History
- Built 1949, replaced and demolished 2021
- Builders
- - Fisher Contracting Co.
- Ralph Hoffman (Designer)
- Design
- Steel two-hinge girder-ribbed deck arch
- Dimensions
-
Total length: 636.8 ft.
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +33.36167, -110.95500 (decimal degrees)
33°21'42" N, 110°57'18" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 12/504186/3691383 (zone/easting/northing)
- Quadrangle map:
- Pinal Ranch
- Average daily traffic (as of 2017)
- 7,925
- Inventory numbers
- AZ 351 (Arizona bridge number)
BH 10719 (Bridgehunter.com ID) - Inspection report (as of September 2018)
- Overall condition: Poor
Superstructure condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)
Deck condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)
Sufficiency rating: 26.8 (out of 100)
View more at BridgeReports.com
Update Log
- November 10, 2021: Updated by Alexander D. Mitchell IV: Bridge demolished 10-27-2021; video added; blogpost added
- April 19, 2021: New photo from Geoff Hubbs
- October 7, 2019: Updated by Alexander D. Mitchell IV: Replacement construction begun
- April 2, 2015: Updated by Roger Deschner: Added category "Doomed"
- October 1, 2014: New photos from Royce and Bobette Haley
- June 21, 2010: New Street View added by Nathan Holth
Sources
- Nathan Holth
- Royce and Bobette Haley - roycehaley111 [at] yahoo [dot] com
- Alexander D. Mitchell IV
- Geoff Hubbs
- Engineering News-Record 1955-04-07: Vol 154 Iss 14
- Project Website
Comments
Agreed Nathan! I would much rather be driving through the desert and see a beautiful arch bridge... as opposed to a bunch of rocks, dirt and cacti.
Its ridiculous that a historic bridge that was still carrying heavy traffic prior to replacement cannot be left standing next to its replacement for pedestrian use (or even just for viewing). Its in the middle of a DESERT!!!! Its not like its in the way of anything!!!! And its not like it was going to deteriorate quickly in such a dry environment.
As of this past week, the bridge is officially down. From what I've heard though, it took two shots to bring her down! Old girl was a bit stubborn! New bridge is fully open, but definitely doesn't have the same "elegance" as the old one. Within the next couple years, the Superior bridge will be replaced as well, most likely with another big boring concrete Phoenix freeway-style monstrosity.
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has begun construction on a new bridge which, when completed in late 2020, will replace the existing Pinto Creek Bridge. The existing structure will be demolished without contaminating the environment once the new structure opens.
Happened to cross this bridge on 03/26/18. Stopped to take a look at it and walked over to see the plaque. Structure won an AISC prize back in the late 40s. I see there are plans to replace this structure; unlikely a new span will have the elegance of this one. There's another one like it further west on US 60 on the downhill run into Superior.
AZDOT has announced plans to replace this bridge. http://azdot.gov/docs/default-source/planning/2016-2020-tent... Page 51.
This page's URL is http://bridgehunter.com/az/gila/351/
Haven't given one of these out in a while. And it's probably a first for Arizona so...
Todd Baslee photo