| Bush Highway | |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Length: | 15.7 mi[2] (25.3 km) |
| Existed: | 1934[1] – present |
| Major junctions | |
| South end: | Power Road in Mesa |
| North end: | SR 87 in Tonto |
| Location | |
| Counties: | Maricopa |
The Bush Highway is a scenic highway in the US state of Arizona. It begins at the northern end of Power Road in Mesa and extends northeasterly through the Tonto National Forest to Tonto. The highway was named for local resident Harvey Grandville Bush in the 1930s.
Contents |
Bush Highway begins at the northern end of Power Road in Mesa and continues northward. Near the Salt River, the roadway turns to the northeast in the Tonto National Forest. The highway runs over the Arizona Canal and past the Granite Reef Dam. The highway continues along the Salt River near its confluence with the Verde River and past Red Mountain. It crosses the river on the Blue Point Bridge, which is a location used traditionally as the start of tubing trips down the river. From there, the road continues northerly past the Stewart Mountain Dam and Saguaro Lake to connect with State Route 87 (SR 87, Beeline Highway) in Tonto.[2][3]
The highway was named after the Mesa lumberman, Harvey Granville Bush. Construction on what was then called "The Harvey Bush Highway" began on March 21, 1933. The road opened to the public in 1934.[1][4]
The entire route is in Maricopa County.
| Location | Mile[2] | Destinations | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa | 0.0 | Power Road | Continuation south | |
| Tonto | 15.7 | SR 87 (Beeline Highway) | ||
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | ||||