Chico River Bridge

Chico River Bridge
Puente Rio Chico
General Máximo Garcla, Durango, Mexico
(351) feet high / (107) meters high
(459) foot span / (140) meter span
2006

Image by Vecino.

Puente Rio Chico is one of 3 sister bridges on the east end of the new Durango-Mazatlán highway now under construction between Durango and Sinaloa states. Completed in 2008, the stretch between Durango and El Salto required three similar sized prestressed concrete beam bridges across 3 river gorges approximately 328 feet (100 mtrs) deep. Neverías was completed in 2005, Rio Chico in 2006 and Puente La Pinta in 2008.

The most difficult stretch of the highway to build will be between El Salto and Mazatlán where there will be 56 tunnels and 8 bridges that exceed 300 feet (90 mtrs) in height including Santa Lucia, Neverías, La Pinta, Chico, Botijas, Pueblo Nuevo and El Carrizo. Only China’s West Hurong and Italy’s A3 highways will have a greater collection of high bridges. The Baluarte River crossing will not only be the highest bridge in North America but the highest cable stayed bridge in the world. It will be the crown jewel of the greatest bridge and tunnel highway project ever undertaken in North America.

Also crossing the Rio Chico and not to be missed is the famous railway bridge near Otinapa, Durango. Completed in 1912, the beautiful red cantilever span is designed to look like an arch with a curve on the underside of the suspended span. Crossing 240 feet (73 mtrs) above the Chico River, the entire central span measures 390 feet (119 mtrs) in length.

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Chico River Bridge Elevation

Chico River Bridge satellite image.

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A satellite image showing the Chico River Bridge (left) and the Neverías Bridge (right).

A satellite image showing the location of the 3 major high bridges between Durango and El Salto along the east end of the Durango-Mazatlán highway.