The last covered bridge of Arizona on AZ 73/US 60T

[Max Rockatansky]

Finding this seemed historically significant, hence the cross post from the Gribblenation Facebook page:

"Pictured in Photo 1 is the last known covered highway bridge to exist in Arizona.  The February 1934 Arizona Highways noted this structure to be on the multiplex of Arizona State Route 73 and US Route 60 Temporary at the White River near the Fort Apache Reservation.  The structure was to be demolished and replaced with a modernized steel highway bridge. 

Arizona State Route 73 was one of the original State Routes commissioned by the Arizona Highway Commission during September 1927.  The original scale of Arizona State Route 73 carried it from Eagar southwest to the vicinity of Globe.  Much of what was once Arizona State Route 73 south of Fort Apache is now BIA Route 9.  The original routing of Arizona State Route 73 crossed not only the White River but also the Black River. 

When US Route 60 was extended through Arizona to California during 1931 it temporarily followed the entirety of Arizona State Route 73.  This temporary routing was necessary due to work on the permanent alignment of US Route 60 through Salt River Canyon also having only begun during 1931.  The original Salt River Bridge would be completed during 1934 but the remainder of the highway towards Show Low took several more years to finish.  Pictured in Photo 2 is the multiplex of US Route 60 Temporary along Arizona State Route 73 from the 1935 Arizona Highway Commission Map. 

The date of construction of the White River Covered Bridge is not stated in the February 1934 Arizona Highways.  If anyone in the post readership of this post knows more about this structure, please contact us."

[Max Rockatansky]

Seems this structure was built in the 1890s according to this page:

https://www.lostbridges.org/details.aspx?id=AZ/03-04-01x&loc=n&fbclid=IwAR01I_gxjTXfEUV6E19GkRFdlQkMB-jfTMM-0i3PI5XvBFiSemoWxv6F1C4_aem_AaOfX0_IAeb3v2PR5x5ArNgu6KSbChQf8EzSuCkuRbS_sFS5eUxluFmQARHBEA0_x5A&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

[Road Hog]

Probably won't be a state DOT that does it, but I can see some local government bringing back some retro covered bridges as a novelty.

[Rothman]

Probably won't be a state DOT that does it, but I can see some local government bringing back some retro covered bridges as a novelty.

Covered bridges that are destroyed are commonly replaced in-kind now.

[Max Rockatansky]

There is a facade covered bridge in Pinedale along Pinedale Road which was constructed in 1976.

[kphoger]

What is the point of covering a bridge, anyway?

[Max Rockatansky]

Up around Whiteriver almost certainly snow fall accumulation.  In snow prone areas such as the Mogollon Rim the deck of a wooden bridge could be overloaded.  The covered span would slope the snow accumulation off to the sides of the structure.  With modern spans there isn't much of a point beyond aesthetic.

[GaryV]

Another reason for covered bridges was to keep rain off the wooden supports and decking. New roof shingles would be easy and inexpensive to replace. Not so with rotten trusses.

[US 89]

Another reason for covered bridges was to keep rain off the wooden supports and decking. New roof shingles would be easy and inexpensive to replace. Not so with rotten trusses.

That was the main reason from my understanding. Obviously steel trusses don't rot, which is why covered bridges are largely not a thing anymore...