ADOT demolishes 62-year-old bridge at Hell Canyon
Sep 24, 2016, 10:30 AM
PRESCOTT, Ariz. — The old Hell Canyon Bridge went out with a bang last week as the Arizona Department of Transportation demolished the 62-year-old structure near Prescott, Arizona on State Route 89.
ADOT first began dismantling the bridge in August, and captured last Friday’s entire demolition on video. The blast went off without a hitch as the structure collapsed in on itself. Traffic was delayed about 30 minutes due to the explosion.
Originally built in 1954, the bridge no longer met state and federal safety standards for truck traffic. In response, ADOT opened a new $14.4 million crossing in June at the same location 18 miles north of Chino Valley.
With wider lanes and shoulders to accommodate over-sized loads, the new Hell Canyon Bridge carries about 3,400 vehicles per day.