Hassayampa Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hassayampa Bridge
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Hassayampa Bridge, photographed in 1993
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hassayampa River, Hassayampa, Arizona |
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| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Strong and Grant |
| Architectural style | four-rib concrete deck girder |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001658 |
| Added to NRHP | September 30, 1988 |
The Hassayampa Bridge is a special bridge that crosses the Hassayampa River in Hassayampa, Arizona. This area is part of Maricopa County. The bridge was finished in 1929. It was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 because it's an important historical structure.
Contents
History of the Hassayampa Bridge
Early Bridges and Planning
In 1915, a bridge made of wood was built across the river. This wooden bridge was improved in 1922. Workers added two strong steel parts called trusses to make it more lasting.
By 1927, the Arizona Highway Department started thinking about a new, permanent bridge. They wanted a bridge made of concrete. They asked different companies to offer their ideas and prices for building this new bridge.
Building the New Bridge
In 1928, four companies sent in their plans and prices. The company named Strong and Grant offered the lowest price. So, on December 4, 1928, they won the job. The cost for the new bridge was $47,325.
Building the bridge started in January 1929. It was finished quickly, by July of the same year.
An Important Route
When the concrete bridge was finished in 1929, it removed the last big challenge on Arizona's main east-to-west road. This road was called U.S. Route 80. It was one of the first highways that went all the way across the United States, from one coast to the other.
At that time, U.S. Route 80 was the busiest highway in Arizona. Many cars and trucks used it every day. Later, in the late 1950s, a new system of big highways called the Interstate Highway System was built. Because of this, the Hassayampa Bridge became a county road instead of a major U.S. highway.
Bridge Structure and Design
How the Bridge Was Built
The Arizona Highway Department designed the Hassayampa Bridge. It was made with several sections of concrete slabs and girders. Girders are like big beams that support the bridge. The bridge also has concrete supports at the ends and in the middle.
This bridge is a great example of a "four-rib concrete deck girder" structure. This was a common and strong way to build bridges in the 1920s and 1930s. The Hassayampa Bridge has seven sections, each about 45-foot-long (14 m). It is known as one of the best examples of this type of bridge in Arizona.
Key Features
On September 30, 1988, the Hassayampa Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
The bridge used a lot of materials. It contains over 2,000 cubic yards (1,500 m3) of concrete. It also has about 146,000 pounds (66,000 kg) of steel inside to make it extra strong.
The bridge is about 24.2 feet (7.4 m) wide. Its top surface, where cars drive, is made of asphalt over concrete. The parts that hold up the bridge are made of solid concrete. The bridge also has special concrete guardrails with arch-shaped openings. It has a roadway that extends out from the main supports, with special brackets and tapered sections near the piers.
