Boulder Creek Bridge - Carrying Traffic Since 1930s

The one-lane Boulder Creek Bridge spans a narrow section of Canyon Lake on State Route 88 (Apache Trail) next to Canyon Lake Marina and near Tortilla Flat. The lake has been a popular recreation spot since it was formed in the 1920s after construction of the Mormon Flat Dam was completed. In addition to boating and fishing on the lake, the area features some of Arizona’s most beautiful scenery. 

The Boulder Creek Bridge has been carrying traffic since 1937, but the story of where its building materials came from goes back even further.

In November 1919, a flood severely damaged the Wickenburg Bridge over the Hassayampa River. Repairs to that bridge were completed in 1920 with a three-span Pratt truss, a structure made of interlocking triangles. These structures can be connected to function as a single bridge over multiple supports, which allows more efficient material usage.

In 1936, the Wickenburg Bridge was replaced and the three-span Pratt truss that was installed in 1920 was shipped to Canyon Lake and connected with a Parker through truss, which is also known as a camelback truss for its curved appearance, and used in construction of the Boulder Creek Bridge. In 1937, the Boulder Creek Bridge opened to traffic.

The Boulder Creek Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.