SANTA FE – Out of an abundance of caution and with public safety as its top priority, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will close the historic Oñate Bridge in Española at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, ahead of the anticipated monsoon season.
The bridge will remain closed indefinitely as engineers address ongoing concerns about riverbed erosion around one of the bridge’s piers that could pose a risk during periods of high river flow.
“Protecting the traveling public is our highest priority,” said Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna. “Given the potential for increased water levels and further scour during monsoon rains, this closure is a proactive step to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The closure, which applies to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, will remain in place while further evaluations and potential mitigation efforts are explored. Detours will be in effect, routing traffic through two nearby bridges on either side of the Oñate Bridge.
NMDOT began monitoring the structure in 2019 following an underwater inspection that identified erosion at a pier. A follow-up inspection in January 2025 found further deterioration, prompting additional hydraulic modeling that confirmed the need for action.
In recent months, NMDOT’s Bridge Bureau, Drainage Bureau and District Five collaborated with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to evaluate the bridge’s condition and explore options for continued monitoring. A joint assessment in June with FHWA scour experts resulted in the decision to close the bridge prior to any significant rainfall events.
