At 72 years old, the Pinto Creek Bridge had come to the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced. Yet the bridge also served as a vital connector for numerous mining companies and rural communities in central and southeastern Arizona. The new bridge is now a 695-foot-long steel bridge that rises from the canyon floor in the Tonto National Forest. The structure now offers a 12-foot-wide lane for traffic in each direction and 10-foot-wide shoulders, vastly enhancing safety for both the traveling public and commercial vehicles from nearby mines. The $25.3 million bridge now handles larger loads and improves safety for travelers, while also maintaining support for commerce in the region and connectivity to the small rural communities in central and southeastern Arizona.
America's Transportation Awards 