Arizona 89T was established as a bypass of the Little Colorado River
suspension bridge on US 89. The road shows in the Arizona
State Highway Log as being paved in 1958. The low, one-lane
bridge across the river shows in the highway log as being
constructed in 1958, however it possibly dates back to 1911,
before the construction of US 89.
The road is still shown in the current (2006)
State Highway Log, but is closed to traffic. The road was
added to the state highway system in 1975, well after the
1958 bridge was constructed.
Interestingly, the bridge on Arizona 89T across
the Little Colorado River shows in state highway logs from
the 1940s and up to 1958, while the 1938 suspension bridge
is not shown in the State Highway System Log.
This map shows the general correlation between US 89
and former Arizona 89T. Notice the three bridges across
the Little Colorado River - the 1938 Suspension Bridge,
now closed to traffic, and the 1958 Cantilever Bridge
adjacent to each other, and the Arizona 89T bridge to
the east.
Perspective from Arizona 89T Northbound
This view from the old highway, looking west, shows
the 1938 suspension bridge and the 1958 cantilever bridge
that carries US 89. Photo taken March 16, 2007 by Tyson
Hugie.
The remains of Arizona 89T consist of a small, one lane
road. Photo taken March 16, 2007 by Tyson Hugie.
Looking north along the old road, we see the decaying
asphalt and post for a former road sign. Photo taken March
16, 2007 by Tyson Hugie.
Perspective from AZ 89T Southbound
At the north end, the road is closed by a gate with
a well-graffitied sign. Photo taken March 16, 2007 by
Tyson Hugie.
Arizona 89T used to run paralell to the river, descending
along the cliff to the Little Colorado River. Photo taken
March 16, 2007 by Tyson Hugie.
This sign warns of the bridge, which is one lane wide
and wooden. This indicates that the road was possibly
constructed as part of the original US 89 construction
around 1927, with the bridge constructed in 1911. ADOT
records show the road constructed in 1958. Photo taken
March 16, 2007 by Tyson Hugie.
The actual bridge has been closed off by the pile of
dirt in front of it. Notice the spray-painted Speed Limit
sign. Photo taken March 16, 2007 by Tyson Hugie.
This is a view of the low bridge across the Little Colorado
River. Notice the wooden curbs. Photo taken March 16,
2007 by Tyson Hugie.
