McClintock Drive/US 60 overpass in Tempe reopened after evaluation from water line break

PHOENIX — The McClintock Drive overpass at the U.S. 60 was reopened Wednesday after being closed temporarily in both directions as crews evaluated potential cracking in some bridge column supports where there was standing water from the recent water line break.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said two bridge columns were inspected and deemed safe for traffic.

The bridge closed four days after the break, which resulted in 8 million gallons of lost water and closed the freeway in both directions.

Crews have started repairs and damage assessment, but there was no estimated time for the freeway to reopen.

The freeway is closed between Interstate 10 and Loop 101.

Drivers should use the Loop 202 Santan Freeway in the south and the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway in the north to get around the closure.

Repair work ramped up Wednesday after crews stopped the flow of water under the westbound side of the freeway near McClintock Drive.

Tempe, along with the Arizona Department of Transportation, will next survey areas beneath the pavement to check for soil displacement.

Crews will then stabilize the ground and make repairs to sections of pavement excavated when workers were looking for the source of the break.

Officials haven’t released figures for the cost of the repairs, but Mark Weber, Tempe’s interim deputy municipal utilities director, said they would be “significant.”

Tempe will foot the bill for the repairs, according to Weber.

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