Replacement of US 70 bridge over the Gila River near Bylas set to begin in early 2012

 

Replacement of US 70 bridge over the Gila River near Bylas set to begin in early 2012

 

Project will replace one of Arizona’s longest highway bridges, located on the San Carlos Apache Reservation

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Construction of a new and improved bridge on US 70 spanning the Gila River on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation is scheduled to begin in February.

 

The $12.7 million Arizona Department of Transportation project will replace the existing steel girder bridge, constructed in 1957, with a precast concrete bridge that will feature wider travel lanes, emergency shoulders and a pedestrian walkway. The project will also include new guardrails, berms and irrigation lines, widening the highway approaches to the bridge from both directions, and improvements at the intersection of US 70 and Calva Road.

 

The new bridge will be constructed adjacent to the existing bridge, which will remain in use until the new structure is complete. The bridge will include a sidewalk protected by a concrete barrier. ADOT expects to maintain two-way traffic at the current speed limit for most of the project’s duration, however there will be short periods of time when traffic will be restricted to a single lane while the new bridge approaches are connected to the existing highway.

 

The speed limit in the project area, located one mile west of Bylas between mileposts 292 and 294. is set at 50 mph for cars and 45 mph for trucks.

 

 

At nearly 2,000 feet in length, the Gila River Bridge at Bylas is among the longest in Arizona and will feature 15 precast concrete spans. The current bridge, which is not up to contemporary bridge standards, is constructed of 23 steel girder spans.

 

Construction crews will be on site in late January, conducting surveys and setting up a construction office. In February, work will begin to remove and relocate vegetation and to do earthwork. The schedule calls for bridge construction to begin in March and continue through fall 2012, at which time the old bridge will be demolished. The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2013.

 

ADOT will provide project updates and issue traffic alerts prior to activity that requires travel restrictions.

 

Crews will work Monday through Friday approximately from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

 

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, obey posted speed limits, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

 

For more information about this project, please contact C.T. Revere, Safford District Senior Community Relations Officer, at 520.705.3574 or crevere@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT. For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona see the agency's latest blog posts at http://adotblog.blogspot.com.

 

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