Old U.S. 80 Bridge by junge1

Photography • Architecture • posted on Feb 03, 2011

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Description

The old U.S. 80 bridge is located slightly downstream from the Gillespie Dam. Gillespie Dam is a spillover dam that was constructed in 1921. A concrete apron on the downstream side of the dam allowed for vehicles to cross the Gila River, but during heavy flows vehicles had to be towed across the apron. To alleviate this problem, and in anticipation of the formation of the United States Highway System, the Highway Department in 1926 commissioned the construction of a steel truss bridge just downstream of Gillespie Dam. The bridge was completed and opened to traffic on August 1, 1927 at a cost of US$320,000. The bridge, which was at the time the longest highway bridge in Arizona, was immediately incorporated into the Highway System as Route 80. The bridge carried US 80 traffic until 1956 when the highway was decommissioned. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historical Places on May 5, 1981. This picture was taken on 29 January 2011, Sig...

Comments (25)

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MagikUnicorn

9:47PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

Superb view love it ...good old strong bridge

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Richardphotos

9:50PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

I love old bridges like this and taking pictures of them.beautiful shot Sig

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bimm3d

9:56PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

wonderful place, POV and photo!!

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jocko500

10:05PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

a very good photo of this old bridge

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Faemike55

10:33PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

Cool bridge and wonderful history

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auntietk

11:29PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

What a great old bridge! I had to look up Hwy 80. I didn't know it had been decommissioned west of Texas! Fascinating information, and an outstanding photograph.

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bmac62

11:40PM | Thu, 03 February 2011

History....ahhhh, delightful.

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junge1

12:46AM | Fri, 04 February 2011

This highway may be decommissioned, but it is fun to drive on. No traffic to speak of, with fields and the occassional old, farm-related structures. It is a favorite for motorcycles.

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