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Information:
The new Salt River Canyon Arch Bridge, also known as Apache Bridge is the all concrete red arch bridge just downstream of the old Salt River Canyon Steel Arch Bridge, which now serves as a pedestrian and bike bridge.
The dual Gila River Arch Bridges spans one of the most dramatic canyons in the state, a canyon know as the Little Grand Canyon. There are 6% grades in the area with roadside overlooks which makes this journey one that you should take.
Driving Directions:
These dual bridges are located roughly about half way between Globe, Arizona and Show Low, Arizona on US highway 60 near milepost 293, where the highway crosses the Salt River just below Apache Falls. The bridges are about 43 miles north of Globe, Arizona.
History:
The construction of the Old Steel bridge and roadway was hampered by road curvature and scarcity of nearby concrete, so the Arizona Highway Department chose to build a long-span steel designed bridge. The state contracted with the Lee Moor Construction Company from El Paso, Texas to build the bridge; the first pylon went in on January 1934 and by June 1934, the Salt River Canyon Steel Arch Bridge was completed.
The single steel arch design with several steel girder approach spans was the first girder-ribbed steel arch attempted by the state and the Salt River Canyon Steel arch bridge became the standard for many future bridges including the Queen Creek, Pinto Creek and other.
Then, in 1996, the Salt River Canyon Steel Bridge was replaces by a new bridge which ran parallel to the first. The new bridge was painted red and decorated with Apache symbols. The new bridge was named Apache bridge or more commonly known as the New Salt River Bridge and now carries traffic over the Salt river on US highway 60. The old bridge remains open for foot and bike traffic and the rest area adjacent to the bridge serves as a popular put-in for white-water rafters.
New Salt River Canyon Bridge
Location:
Coordinates:
33.7974308, -110.5038997
Elevation:
3416 feet
Bridge Specification
Bridge Type:
Open-spandrel Arch Concrete Deck Bridge
Date Open:
1996
Replaced:
1934 Steel Two-hinged Girder-ribbed Deck Arch Bridge
Total Length:
379.0 feet
Deck Width:
47.6 feet
Main Span Length:
185.7 feet;
Total Height:
Crosses:
Salt River
Clearance Above:
(Vehicle Clearance) Open.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance) feet.
Old Salt River Canyon Bridge
Location:
Coordinates:
33.7974734, -110.5037418
Elevation:
3419 feet
Bridge Specification
Bridge Type:
Steel Two-hinged Girder-ribbed Deck Arch Bridge, Concrete Deck
Date Construction Start:
January 1934
Date Open:
June 1934
Year Bypassed:
1993
Total Length:
454.7 feet
Deck Width:
22.0 feet
Main Span Length:
162.0 feet;
Crosses:
Salt River
Clearance Above:
(Vehicle Clearance) Open.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance) feet.
Cost to Build:
$58,0500.00
Ancient Steps
Athabascan
The Apache indigenous people, whose ancestors were part of the Third Migration across the land bridge from Asia lived in this area before the Spanish explores arrived on this continent.
In the 1870s, when the American Indian Wars were increasing, a company of Apache horsemen were ambushed by the US cavalry. After losing 50 men, the Apache retreated into the mountain, which area is now Superior, Arizona.
With the loss of many of their brothers, the Apache accepted defeat and the remaining 75 Apache Warriors leaped to their death rather than being captured by the US Army. Due to this event by the Apache, this mountain became known as the Apache Leap Mountain.
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