ADOT using innovative process to replace highway bridge southeast of metro Phoenix
Mar 11, 2022, 8:00 PM | Updated: Jan 13, 2023, 11:47 am
(ADOT Rendering)
(ADOT Rendering)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation is using an innovative process that slides two pieces together, minimizing traffic delays, to replace a highway bridge about 60 miles southeast of metro Phoenix.
Work using the accelerated construction technique to replace the State Route 79 bridge over the Gila River is underway in Florence.
One side of the bridge will remain open throughout the process, even as new piers are constructed under the existing bridge to support the new structure.
When the new bridge is done being built, crews will slide the halves into place.
That process will limit traffic to one lane over a span of two weekends.
The six-phase, $22.1 million project is expected to take 18 months and also will add 8-foot shoulders and a protected pedestrian walkway on the west side.
Some oversized vehicles may need to use an alternate route.
Pedestrians, bicyclists and off-road vehicles are asked to avoid the work zone.
More information on the project can be found online.
