Do us a favor and pick a bridge – any bridge – across the Salt River.

Which one came to mind? Maybe along Interstate 10 near Sky Harbor International Airport? Then there are the crossings on Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near where it hits Loop 101 Pima Freeway and the Loop 202 South Mountain between Broadway and Southern. If you are feeling particular adventurous, you might have gone for the US 60 bridges going up the approriately named Salt River Canyon. 

As we've mentioned previously, there are quite a few crossings across this important Arizona waterway. But there is one that seems to receive a lot less attention, and we aim to change that.

Meet the OTHER Salt River bridge. It has carried State Route 288 traffic across the river in Gila County since 1920. More impressive than its centennial of service is the fact that it has done so without being changed.

The bridge began coming to life in 1918, when the newly formed Bureau of Public Roads (one of the predecessors to the Federal Highway Administration) began scouting a location for a new road in the Tonto and Crook National Forest. This earth road would intersect with the Apache Trail near Roosevelt and then 44 miles north to the town of Young. One of the new road's major components was a bridge over the Salt River, near the head of Roosevelt Lake. The bridge design was completed in 1919 and the structure was built by the end of 1920. If you look at our historic bridge inventory for Gila County, you'll see that it's inventory number is only 37, so yes, it was one of the earliest bridges built after Arizona became a state.

The bridge itself features a long-span steel truss, know as a Parker truss, with footings set directly into the solid-rock shoreline, as well as a concrete deck flanked by steel pipe guardrails. You can still see all that today, as the bridge remains almost exactly as it was built, with very few alterations done over the decades.

Although it's considered a remote crossing, the SR 288 Salt River Bridge is important in state bridge history. It's the earliest documented example of a bridge constructed by the Bureau of Public Roads in Arizona. The agency was extensively involved with road and bridge construction throughout the state, both indirectly by reviewing state-engineered federal-aid projects and directly by building roads and structures through national monuments, forests and parks. If that wasn't good enough, the bridge is also remarkable as the earliest and longest through-truss bridge still in its original location. Finally, just for added fame, it's also only one of four Parker trusses found in ADOT's statewide bridge inventory. 

We could also add that Roosevelt Lake is a just a scenic place for an afternoon drive, and what better way to remember this other Salt River bridge than by using it? And maybe you could wish it a happy 101th birthday while you are at it.

We think it doesn't look a day over 65!

 

Is it just a bridge, or a beautiful piece of technology and metalwork? The answer - if you're talking about the Salt River Canyon bridge - is both!

It all began in 1930, when Arizona Highway Department surveyors started looking around for a new all-weather route to Arizona's northeast region. They found the nearly perfect bridge site 43 miles north of Globe, at the Salt River Canyon. But concrete was scarce and the bridge had to be a single free span over the canyon, so the department settled upon a two-hinged steel deck arch design.  

Once work on US 60 was ready, construction of the bridge began once in 1933. The project proceeded slowly because of multiple issues getting the bridge's curvature just right. In January 1934, work began on the first pylon. By June, the bridge was finally finished. Unlike most bridges designed by the highway department at the time - which tended to be unadorned and utilitiarian -  this one was distinguished by decorative steel pylons at the arch corners and ornamented steel guardrails that flanked the curved concrete deck. The beauty was not lost on the public. In fact, one of the department's engineers remarked that at a distance, with its shining aluminum features, the Salt River Canyon bridge looked "more like a delicate piece of filigree than a well-designed and constructed highway bridge."

On the technological side, this was the first girder-ribbed steel arch done by the Arizona Highway Department. It was able to go up quicker than the then-standard spandrel-braced arch, so this soon became the bridge-construction norm. For decades after, the Salt River Canyon bridge carried vehicular traffic with minimal maintenance. Eventually it would be replaced when the newer, higher-capacity bridge opened to traffic in 1996.

Although it no longer carries vehicles, the original bridge is still there. Pedestrians can still walk along it, and can also rest from their walk at the restored Salt River Canyon rest area nearby before continuing on their way. And, of course, they can enjoy the view, whether that's of the canyon for the beautiful piece of filigree crossing it. 

Greetings, hungry travelers!

The holidays are but a memory and wintertime has settled in once again. Good portions of our state will experience snow and frigid temperatures for the foreseeable future. Heck, even the low 40s that folks see in Phoenix and Tucson this time of year can be downright bone-chilling for desert dwellers.

So how about staying inside and whipping up something warm and scrumptious to enjoy while wrapped up in a cozy blanket on your favorite couch and/or futon?

For this edition of Road Trip Recipes, we are proud to present: Salt River Pretzel Bites!

We’ll get to the recipe in just a moment. First, let’s talk a little bit about its namesake.

The Salt River travels close to 200 miles between Maricopa and Gila counties. It ends as a tributary of the Gila River near Tolleson, but we can follow it back northeast as it winds through man-made reservoirs such as Theodore Roosevelt Lake. We can keep going quite awhile until we reach its formation at the confluence of the White and Black rivers in the White Mountains. It’s that spot, known for huge salt deposits, that give the Salt River its name.

Now, you may be thinking, “Well, all that is absolutely fascinating. But what does it have to do with transportation?”

We’re glad we assumed you asked!

The Salt River lends its name to some very important pieces of ADOT infrastructure.

Namely, the Salt River Bridge. In fact, there are several of them!

In the Phoenix metro area, you’ll find a Salt River Bridge on Interstate 10 between the I-17 "Split" interchange and University Drive. The current iteration of the bridge opened in 1986; it’s nearly a quarter mile long and carries millions of drivers over the often dry riverbed each week. You'll also find a Salt River crossing on both the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway and the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway. The latter's bridges, spanning the river just west of the Loop 101 Pima Freeway, are the longest in the entire state!

There’s a Salt River Bridge on State Route 288 too. You’ll find it just north of the junction with State Route 188 near Roosevelt Lake. This one was built a solid 100 years ago in 1920 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can see that in the photo to the right.

That leads us to US 60. This highway finds itself going over the Salt River about halfway between Globe and Show Low. But the interesting thing is, there are TWO Salt River Bridges there! The first one was built in 1934 and funded by the New Deal’s Public Works Administration. It’s now restricted to pedestrian traffic only and can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. The modern bridge opened in 1996 and is a striking shade of rose, adorned with beautiful symbols commemorating the Native American communities in the area. That's the beautiful piece of architecture you see at the top of this post. 

Close by this bridge pair you’ll find the Salt River Canyon Rest Area. Not just a place for personal hygiene, this rest area offers pleasant views of the Salt River. Walk down a few steps and you’ll find  picnic tables on which you can enjoy a quick meal while overlooking the water. In 2014, the Salt River Canyon Rest Area received a major renovation, including the addition of solar panels that now power the facility. 

Now, let’s make some pretzels!

Salt River Pretzel Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 cups flour
• 9 cups water (for baking soda bath)
• ½ cup baking soda (for baking soda bath)

Topping Options:

• Coarse sea salt
• Everything bagel mix
• Cinnamon sugar

Prepare:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the yeast together with the warm water. Let stand 1 minute, then whisk in the salt, brown sugar, and melted butter.
2. Add flour, one cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon until dough forms.
3. Knead dough for 3 minutes and shape into a ball. Cover with a slightly damp towel and allow to rise for 10 minutes. 
4. Combine water and baking soda into a large pot. Start bringing to a boil. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line baking pans with parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray. 
5. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 6 equal sections. Roll each section of dough into 1 inch ropes. Cut the rope every 1 ½ inches with the pizza cutter, forming your bites. 
6. Drop 8-10 pretzel bites into the boiling water at a time for 20 seconds. Retrieve bites with a slotted spoon and drain as much water as possible. Spread onto your prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with the topping of your choice. 
7. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipe should yield about 100 bites. Pretzels can be stored for up to three days in an airtight container. Serve with a dip of your choice!