SANTA FE – Late Wednesday, a NMDOT inspector discovered damage that compromised the integrity of the bridge, at Rio del Oso, State Road 84. It is NMDOT’s understanding that the damage was caused by the contractor during repair construction.
NMDOT staff was on site, evaluating the bridge and the extent of damage.
Overnight, NMDOT re-evaluated the damage and worked to open the bridge around 5:30 a.m.
It is not clear whether the bridge will undergo further repairs, or if the construction company, who NMDOT believes caused the damage, will be held liable.
The bridge is inspected every 4 years. The latest report illustrates that it was in good condition at the time of the last inspection.
NBI Report
| NBI Bridge Condition | Good |
| Inspection Date (Inspection Frequency): | Aug. 2021 (Every 48 Months) |
| Structural Evaluation: | 6: Equal to present minimum criteria |
| Deck Geometry | N: Not applicable |
| Underclear/Vertical and Horizontal: | N: Not applicable |
| Deck | N: NOT APPLICABLE |
| Superstructure | N: NOT APPLICABLE |
| Substructure | N: NOT APPLICABLE |
| Channel/Channel Protection | 6: Bank is beginning to slump. River control devices and embankment protection have widespread minor damage. There is minor stream bed movement evident. Debris is restricting the channel slightly. |
| Culverts | 7: Shrinkage cracks, light scaling, and insignificant spalling which does not expose reinforcing steel. Insignificant damage caused by drift with no misalignment and not requiring corrective action. Some minor scouring has occurred near curtain walls, wingwalls, or pipes. Metal culverts have a smooth symmetrical curvature with superficial corrosion and no pitting. |
| Waterway Adequacy: | 4: Occasional overtopping of bridge deck and roadway approaches with significant traffic delays. |
| Approach Roadway Alignment: | 8: Equal to present desirable criteria |
| Bridge Posting | No posting required: Equal to or above legal loads |
| Scour Critical Bridges: | 8: Bridge foundations determined to be stable for assessed or calculated scour conditions; calculated scour is above top of footing. |
| Bridge Railings: | 1: Inspected feature meets currently acceptable standards. |
| Transitions: | 1: Inspected feature meets currently acceptable standards. |
| Approach Guardrail: | 1: Inspected feature meets currently acceptable standards. |
| Approach Guardrail Ends: | 0: Inspected feature does not meet currently acceptable standards or a safety feature is required and none is provided. |
| Historical significance: | 5: Bridge is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. |
| Type of Work Proposed: | Bridge rehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength. |
| Work Done By: | Work to be done by contract |
| Length of Structure Improvement: | 9.40 meters |
| Bridge Improvement Cost | $92,000 |
| Roadway Improvement Cost | $9,000 |
| Total Project Cost | $138,000 |
| Year of Improvement Cost Estimate: | 2030 |