Rio Puerco Bridge — Attraction in New Mexico

This bridge was built in 1933, and, although it's no longer safe for vehicle use, kudos to New Mexico for not tearing it down. This was on the original Route 66, and I like to think that some of my Okie ancestors drove across this bridge in its first decade as they headed to California. You can imagine John Steinbeck driving over this bridge as he was formulating the story of the Joad family for the Grapes of Wrath. There's a parking area on the west side of the bridge (which happens to be right on the old US 66 roadway pavement). Get out, stretch your legs, and walk across this bridge. Look at how narrow it is -- remember, this was a two-lane road. If you're approaching on I-40, take the Rio Puerco exit (Exit 140); it's on the north side of the freeway (next to the westbound lanes, so eastbound should cross over the freeway, and you'll see it right after...

🇺🇸🇧🇷🚙📸🎥 ROAD TRIP USA - ROUTE 66 🇺🇸🇧🇷🚙📸🎥

📌 PIC 3 - ATRAVESSANDO NEW MEXICO, O ESTADO COM A MAIOR EXTENSÃO RODOVIÁRIA DA ROTA 66...

🇧🇷#segundou me despedindo do @welcometoarizona e vou cruzar a @route66 até a chegada na @southcarolina e durante essa data irei deixar postado todos esses momentos. A foto de hoje será no estado de @newmexico, onde se possui a maior extensão rodoviária da @route66official cujo são de 487 milhas totais (784KM) e o local escolhido por mim é a Ponte do Rio Puerco, essa ponte foi construída em 1933, 7 anos após a abertura da Rota 66 e fora utilizada até 1985, ano que foi fechada a Route 66 tornando se um patrimônio cultural da rodovia. Acompanhe aí a minha trajetória pela Rota66 e aos poucos vou compartilhando mais informações...🇧🇷

🇺🇸#monday saying goodbye to @welcometoarizona and driving through @newmexico on the @route66official. The Rio Puerco Bridge is a Parker through truss bridge located on historic U.S. Route 66 (US 66) in western Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States, that is listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Place. By the way, It’s a great place to stretch your legs a get a breath of fresh air, A nice place to take a few pictures of a historic bridge on the old @route66official!!!🇺🇸 . . . . . #monday #thefabiosilva #youtube #tiktok #instagram #facebook #picoftheday #iphone13promax #travelusa #roadtrip #travelblogger #roadtripusa #travelgram #photography #naturephotography #instatravel #traveling #unitedstates #adventure #exploreusa #route66 #traveladdict #roadtonowhere #livinthedream #riopuercobridge #albuquerque #newmexico...

I was disappointed that for a historical landmark this area is so filthy. There were needles next to the bridge, broken glass, trash, weeds. Not cared for at all. It looks like a place where the locals hang out and party at night. The bridge itself is in great shape and located in an area easy to pull off and walk to. Traffic on both sides of the bridge from I-40 is loud. I left my dogs in the car because I was afraid they would step on a...