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Santa Fe Area
 | Bridge of the Hidalgos (#701): |
The Bridge of the Hidalgos is located on Grant Avenue over Arroyo Mascaras in Santa Fe. This bridge is a concrete rainbow arch constructed in 1920 by the Midland Bridge Company. It has a total length of 54 feet and a 16-foot roadway. A four-foot wide sidewalk is located on the outside of each arch.
The Bridge of the Hidalgos is the only know concrete rainbow arch built in New Mexico. It is presently in use carrying limited traffic on Grant Avenue and it has been recognized for its unique design by being listed on the State Register of Cultural Properties.
| Don Gaspar Avenue Bridge (#3023): |
The Don Gaspar Avenue Bridge was built across the Santa Fe River in 1934 with federal funds under the National Recovery Municipal Program. This bridge is a concrete arch bridge and has a length of 52 feet. The attractive shape and lines of the bridge fit in well with its setting along the Santa Fe River Park between downtown and the capitol area.
This bridge was featured in the introduction of the 1933-1934 Biennial Report of the State Highway Engineer. It is located within the Santa Fe Historic District and is unusual because of its arch design. It is also a good example of a number of municipal public works projects built in New Mexico during the 1930s.
Taos Area
Although the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is often referred to as a steel arch
bridge because of the appearance of its main span, it is more properly described
as a continuous steel deck truss. This bridge has truss spans of 300, 600 and
300 feet and a 36-foot steel I-beam approach span at each end. It has a total
length of 1272 feet and a 28-foot roadway. It was fabricated by the American
Bridge Company and erected by J. H. Ryan and Son in 1965. A high line spanning
the gorge was used to position the steel box beam members during its
construction. The total cost of the bridge was $2,153,000. The Rio Grande Gorge at this location is 1200 feet wide and 600 feet deep.
The steel deck truss is attractively positioned across the gorge and its
appearance is very compatible with its surrounding. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
was designed by the New Mexico State Highway Department Bridge Design Section
and it won first place for the most beautiful span in 1966 in competition
sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction. This bridge is an
outstanding example of modern bridge construction in the western United States.
Although this bridge is relatively new, it is included in the survey as an
exception because of its engineering significance and beauty. The authors of this excerpt are rightfully proud of this engineering feat.
But as with most deck structures, the best is underneath the roadbed. Unless you
brought your parasail, you'll have to pull off on the approach to appreciate the
view.
Rio
Grande Gorge Bridge (#6462)
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