Is Ramp to I-10 NW Safe?
Ramp to I-10 NW in Arizona has a Condition Score of 74/100 (Grade B). The deck is rated 6/9, superstructure 7/9, and substructure 7/9. The bridge is not currently classified as structurally deficient. Built in 2003 (23 years old), it carries approximately 281K vehicles per day.
Ramp to I-10 NW carries a B on the BridgeSafety Condition Score with 74/100. Most component ratings are solid; one or two may show wear consistent with the structure’s age, but the bridge is not flagged as structurally deficient.
The bridge was built in 2003 and is 23 years old — relatively young against the U.S. bridge stock. Modern bridges built to current FHWA standards generally outperform older structures on condition ratings. Ramp to I-10 NW carries an average daily traffic count of 281,068 vehicles, with 2 lane(s) crossing I 10 Mainline. The owning agency is State Highway Agency; bridge inspection records flow into the federal NBI database annually.
BridgeSafety reads the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI) — the authoritative federal dataset covering every public road bridge longer than 20 feet in the United States. Each bridge record includes age, structural condition by component, traffic load, and the formal sufficiency rating that determines federal funding eligibility.
The Structurally Deficient designation flags bridges where at least one primary component (deck, superstructure, substructure) is rated in poor condition on the FHWA 0-9 scale. FHWA explicitly notes that bridges with this designation remain open and safe when they meet load-rating requirements; the designation signals rehabilitation need, not closure.
What the Condition Score Means
With a Condition Score of 74/100, Ramp to I-10 NW earns a B grade. Component ratings are in the "Satisfactory" range on the 0-9 NBI scale, the typical condition for an actively-maintained structure of its age. State DOT inspectors will continue routine biennial inspection cycles; targeted repairs (joint work, deck patching) are usually the operational response at this rating tier.
Ramp to I-10 NW is not currently classified as structurally deficient. All three primary components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — rate above 4 on the FHWA NBI 0-9 scale, the threshold for the federal "structurally deficient" label. The bridge remains in the routine inspection cycle (typically every 24 months) without triggering federal rehabilitation funding eligibility.
Component Ratings
| Component | Rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 6 | /9 |
| Superstructure | 7 | /9 |
| Substructure | 7 | /9 |
| Overall Score | 74/100 | Grade B |
FHWA scale: 9 Excellent, 7 Good, 5 Fair, 4 Poor, lower readings indicate progressively worse condition. Component ratings reflect the most recent inspection submitted to the National Bridge Inventory.
Age and Traffic Context
Built in 2003, Ramp to I-10 NW is 23 years old — well inside its design life. Modern bridges are typically engineered for a 75-year service life with appropriate maintenance, and structures of this vintage are generally in early-life condition unless impacted by external factors (vehicle strikes, scour, environmental exposure).
Ramp to I-10 NW carries roughly 281K vehicles per day, a heavy traffic volume that places it among the higher-priority structures in the inventory for maintenance allocation. Heavy daily traffic accelerates deck wear, joint deterioration, and accumulated fatigue on superstructure elements, which is why busy interstate and arterial bridges often appear on rehabilitation priority lists.
Bridge Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ramp to I-10 NW safe to cross?
Ramp to I-10 NW remains open to traffic at posted load limits set by the owning state DOT. Its current Condition Score is 74/100 (Grade B). NBI condition ratings describe observed physical condition; they are not closure or safety determinations. State DOTs and the FHWA bridge program are the authoritative sources for any operational restriction on a specific structure. The bridge does not meet the federal definition of "structurally deficient."
What do the deck, superstructure, and substructure ratings mean?
On the FHWA NBI 0-9 scale: 9 is Excellent, 7 Good, 5 Fair, 4 Poor, and 0 means the component has failed. Ramp to I-10 NW rates deck 6/9, superstructure 7/9, and substructure 7/9. The deck is the riding surface; the superstructure carries loads from deck to bearings (girders, beams, trusses); the substructure transfers loads to foundations (piers, abutments). A rating of 4 or lower on any of the three triggers the "structurally deficient" classification.
When was Ramp to I-10 NW last inspected?
Federal regulation requires inspection at least every 24 months by a certified team leader. Inspection records flow from the Arizona Department of Transportation to the FHWA NBI; the dataset on this page reflects the 2025 federal NBI release, refreshed April 2026. For the most recent inspection report or any operational status (postings, lane closures), the Arizona DOT is the authoritative source.
Is Ramp to I-10 NW structurally deficient?
No — Ramp to I-10 NW does not currently meet the FHWA "structurally deficient" definition. All three primary components rate above 4 on the NBI 0-9 scale.
Where can I see official inspection records for Ramp to I-10 NW?
The Federal Highway Administration publishes the underlying inspection data through the National Bridge Inventory (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi.cfm). The Arizona DOT publishes additional state-level reporting and operational notices. The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card provides national-level analysis that draws on the same NBI data.