I-15

New smartphone app will help drivers navigate upcoming traffic restrictions on I-15 Bridge No. 1 project

New smartphone app will help drivers navigate upcoming traffic restrictions on I-15 Bridge No. 1 project

I-17 101 traffic interchange

New smartphone app will help drivers navigate upcoming traffic restrictions on I-15 Bridge No. 1 project

New smartphone app will help drivers navigate upcoming traffic restrictions on I-15 Bridge No. 1 project

September 1, 2021

LITTLEFIELD – With lane restrictions and oversize truck detours beginning next week on the I-15 Virgin River Bridge No. 1 project in Littlefield, a new app designed to communicate traffic information and project updates is now available for free download on Apple and Android devices. 

The smartphone app, called Virgin River Bridge, was designed by the contractor for the I-15 bridge replacement project, and it will provide updates of construction activities that will likely impact traffic flow on I-15. 

“This project seemed like a great fit to have its own app to keep the public updated on construction progress and traffic impacts because most of the traffic on this section of I-15 is passing through from one state to another,” said Brenden Foley, assistant district engineer for ADOT’s Northcentral District.

The new app arrives just in time for the start of traffic restrictions on the project. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 8, I-15 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction across the bridge, and there will be width and weight restrictions in place. 

The width restriction means that all vehicles wider than 10 feet will have to use a 224-mile detour route during construction. Additionally, the overweight restriction means that all vehicles over 129,000 lbs will also have to utilize the detour. Signs, as well as the new app, will direct oversize vehicles to the detour route of US 93, Nevada State Route 319 and Utah State Route 56 between Las Vegas and Cedar City, Utah.

“We especially encourage truck drivers who use I-15 frequently to download this app in order to stay current on traffic impacts while we improve Bridge No. 1,” Foley added.

Information from the app is also available on GPS navigation apps such as Drivewyze and Waze.

Kiewit Corporation, ADOT’s contractor for the project, has had success with similar smartphone apps for its work on the Valley Metro Central Avenue Light Rail extension in Phoenix and Project Neon, a project upgrading nearly 4 miles of I-15 in Las Vegas. 

The $56 million bridge-replacement project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2024. For more information, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the Northcentral District.

Access to Virgin River closed while I-15 Bridge No. 1 is reconstructed

Access to Virgin River closed while I-15 Bridge No. 1 is reconstructed

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Access to Virgin River closed while I-15 Bridge No. 1 is reconstructed

Access to Virgin River closed while I-15 Bridge No. 1 is reconstructed

March 1, 2021

PHOENIX – While work is underway to reconstruct Bridge No. 1 along Interstate 15, access to the Virgin River that passes under the bridge will be closed for public safety beginning March 8. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation will be replacing the abutment foundations of the bridge as part of the project. With heavy equipment and work taking place beneath the bridge, the public will not be able to access or utilize the river or adjacent lands at this location during the construction project.

Access to the river for activities including kayaking, boating, swimming, sightseeing and other water recreational activities, will be closed off.

The closure is expected to last until May 2023.

Also, in the interest of public health and safety, crews will permanently remove the man made pool known as “Little Jamaica” in the I-15 right-of-way under Bridge No. 1. As was noted during public involvement for the bridge-replacement project, this site frequently has trash, human waste and other types of waste and lacks water-quality monitoring. It also poses a threat to endangered species and vegetation in the vicinity.

With its location within the ADOT right-of-way and the potential health hazards, crews will remove the sandbags that helped create the pool and allow the spring to return to its natural path. Fencing will be placed around the spring to prevent future diversions.

Work on the $56 million project includes replacing the abutment foundations, piers and the bridge deck of Bridge No. 1. New pavement, pavement markings, guardrail and signage are also included in the project. 

For more information, please visit azdot.gov/projects.

ADOT to replace Virgin River Bridge No. 1 along I-15 near Littlefield

ADOT to replace Virgin River Bridge No. 1 along I-15 near Littlefield

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT to replace Virgin River Bridge No. 1 along I-15 near Littlefield

ADOT to replace Virgin River Bridge No. 1 along I-15 near Littlefield

February 3, 2021

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is set to begin work on replacing Virgin River Bridge No. 1 along Interstate 15 with a brand new bridge that will increase safety and help the corridor to continue carrying commerce for decades to come.

Work on the $56 million project is set to begin Monday, Feb. 8. At first, most of the work will occur below the bridge. Later this year, drivers can expect traffic shifts as the bridge is rebuilt first along the northbound lanes and then the southbound lanes. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained throughout the project.

Work will include replacing the abutment foundations, piers and the bridge deck of Bridge No. 1. New pavement, pavement markings, guardrail and signage are also included in the project.

“We continue to make progress rehabilitating the I-15 bridges through the Virgin River Gorge,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s Northcentral District. “This latest project will extend the life of the bridge and help commerce to continue flowing through this region.”

Work is anticipated to be completed by spring of 2024.

Dating back to early 2014, ADOT has conducted a series of rehabilitation projects on the I-15 Virgin River bridges from minor repairs and resurfacing of bridge decks on Bridge No. 2, Bridge No. 3 and Bridge No. 7, to an extensive rehabilitation of Bridge No. 6 that was completed in 2016. 

Last summer, ADOT completed repairs and deck rehabilitation to Bridge No. 2, Bridge No. 4 and Bridge No. 5.

Arizona’s 29-mile-long portion of I-15 directly connects Nevada and Utah and is a heavily-traveled commercial and economic corridor linking southern California with the Rocky Mountain region.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/projects.

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

I-17 101 traffic interchange

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

December 16, 2020

PHOENIX – While 2020 presented many challenges, the Arizona Department of Transportation continued to serve drivers in northern Arizona by using different methods, including the innovative bridge slide, to improve bridges to keep cross-country commerce flowing and increase the mobility of local traffic.

In Flagstaff, ADOT completed the replacement of the Fourth Street bridge over Interstate 40 on the east side of town in just six months using the innovative bridge slide method. The slide method allowed ADOT to construct the bridges to one side, then slide them into place over one long closure which greatly reduced the impact to the traveling public.

The new bridge improves safety, traffic flow and mobility in the area by increasing the number of lanes for vehicles to use and adding a protected path for bicycles and pedestrians on one side of the bridge. The protected path connects the Flagstaff Urban Trail System across the interstate.

Along Interstate 15 through the Virgin River Gorge, ADOT resurfaced the decks of Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 5, while Bridge No. 4 received a new deck. Work was completed this summer after important additional repairs were made. These improvements will ensure the continued life of these bridges to safely move cars and trucks cross-country.

For this project, ADOT used a first-of-its-kind queue warning system that included portable message boards informing drivers of stop-and-go traffic ahead. Using equipment that detects traffic in real-time, the system is designed to help reduce collisions as traffic builds.

ADOT also improved the Interstate 17 bridge over McConnell Drive as you come into Flagstaff. The project, which began in 2019, involved a full bridge deck replacement, bridge widening and sidewalk construction on the north side of McConnell Drive.

For more ways on how ADOT continues to serve drivers in northern Arizona, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the North Central District.

Bridge repairs to narrow northbound I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

Bridge repairs to narrow northbound I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Bridge repairs to narrow northbound I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

Bridge repairs to narrow northbound I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

October 8, 2020

PHOENIX – Northbound Interstate 15 will be narrowed to one lane over Bridge No. 7 in the Virgin River Gorge for the next several weeks so the Arizona Department of Transportation can repair damage from an August crash involving a semi-truck.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, northbound I-15 will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 22. Drivers traveling between Mesquite, Nevada and St. George, Utah should expect delays and allow extra travel time. Southbound I-15 traffic will not be affected by the work.

All vehicles wider than 10 feet will have to use a 224-mile detour route during construction because of the Virgin River Gorge terrain and the narrow width of I-15. Signs will direct wide-load traffic to the detour route of US 93, Nevada State Route 319 and Utah State Route 56 between Las Vegas and Cedar City, Utah. 

In August, a semi-truck heading northbound on I-15 crashed and caught fire while crossing Bridge No. 7. Crews will be repairing the guardrail, concrete barrier wall and bridge deck, all of which were damaged in the crash. Maintenance crews set up temporary barriers at the crash site until ADOT could arrange for the repair project.

Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of November.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at azdot.gov/ADOTAlerts will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

Work complete on three I-15 bridges through Virgin River Gorge

Work complete on three I-15 bridges through Virgin River Gorge

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Work complete on three I-15 bridges through Virgin River Gorge

Work complete on three I-15 bridges through Virgin River Gorge

July 21, 2020

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation project improving the decks of three Interstate 15 bridges through Virgin River Gorge is complete and all restrictions have been lifted. 

Work began in April 2019 to resurface the decks of Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 5, while Bridge No. 4 received a new deck. 

For this project, ADOT used a first-of-its-kind queue warning system that included portable message boards informing drivers of stop-and-go traffic ahead. Using equipment that detects traffic in real-time, the system is designed to help reduce collisions as traffic builds.

Crews plan to return to lay down permanent striping on the bridges within the next week, so drivers should expect some minor delays while that work is completed.

Early next year, ADOT will begin work to rehabilitate and add wider shoulders to Bridge No. 1 near Littlefield.

For more information on I-15 bridges in the Virgin River Gorge, please visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the Northcentral District.

Technology helping ADOT to manage traffic through I-15 bridge project

Technology helping ADOT to manage traffic through I-15 bridge project

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Technology helping ADOT to manage traffic through I-15 bridge project

Technology helping ADOT to manage traffic through I-15 bridge project

September 4, 2019

PHOENIX – To enhance safety and manage traffic through the bridge improvement project along Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge, the Arizona Department of Transportation is using a first-of-its-kind alert system to help reduce emergency braking and collisions.

With I-15 reduced to one lane in each direction during construction, traffic begins to queue during peak travel times and holidays. A queue warning system that includes portable message boards informs drivers of stop-and-go traffic ahead using equipment that detects traffic in real-time. 

With advance notice, drivers can anticipate heavy traffic, slow down and avoid erratic behavior, helping reduce collisions in the queue.

While this is the first time the system has been used on an ADOT project, going forward the agency intends to use it on projects creating similar traffic conditions.

The $6.4 million bridge improvement project is resurfacing the decks of Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 5 in I-15, while Bridge No. 4 is receiving a new deck. 

The project is scheduled to wrap up next spring.

For more information, please visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the North Central District.

Bridge improvements will narrow I-15 to one lane in each direction

Bridge improvements will narrow I-15 to one lane in each direction

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Bridge improvements will narrow I-15 to one lane in each direction

Bridge improvements will narrow I-15 to one lane in each direction

March 12, 2019

PHOENIX – Motorists using Interstate 15 in far northwestern Arizona will need to budget extra travel time over the next year as the Arizona Department of Transportation improves the decks of three bridges through the Virgin River Gorge between St. George, Utah, and Mesquite, Nevada.

Starting in April, crews will resurface the decks of Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 5, while Bridge No. 4 will get a new deck. Crews will move all traffic to one side of the freeway while working on the other, allowing one travel lane in each direction.

Completing this $6.4 million project, which is scheduled to wrap up in spring 2020, will require reducing the width of travel lanes to 10 feet during construction. All vehicles and loads wider than 10 feet will be required to use a 224-mile detour, with signs directing wide-load traffic to US 93, Nevada State Route 319 and Utah State Route 56 between Las Vegas and Cedar City, Utah.

Along with other improvements ADOT has made to I-15 bridges in recent years, this work will extend the lives of bridges along this busy corridor for commercial and passenger travel.

For more information, please visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the North Central District.

Trailblazers tested in building highway through remote gorge

Trailblazers tested in building highway through remote gorge

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Trailblazers tested in building highway through remote gorge

Trailblazers tested in building highway through remote gorge

August 15, 2018

Virgin River Gorge

By Peter Corbett / ADOT Communications

It is a remote highway carved through a steep canyon in northwestern Arizona a half century ago.

The project to build 29 miles of Interstate 15 across a corner of the state through the Virgin River Gorge was one of the most challenging and costly road projects in its day. The stretch opened in 1973 after a decade of construction.

The Arizona Highway Department, now ADOT, spent more than $48 million, or about $1.63 million per mile, for the four-lane interstate and seven bridges.

Max Blazzard, Highway Department chief project supervisor, got a close look at the roadless Virgin River Gorge when he moved his family to St. George, Utah.

"Some of the roughest terrain is in the lower one and a half miles of the lower gorge,” Blazzard said. “It doesn’t look too difficult from 14,000 feet in the air, but when you get a closer look, it’s hard to visualize a divided highway in this area. The canyon is so narrow and deep the sun never hits in some sections during the winter months."

Long retired construction workers said ice clogged the river in winter. Summer temperatures soared to near 120 degrees, and monsoon-storm flows threatened workers and construction workers in the river bottom. The men told of scaling 100-foot cliffs, blasting away sheer walls of stone and bulldozer operators navigating on dangerous slopes.

A trade publication, Western Construction, reported that a contractor’s helicopter crashed in the gorge. The pilot and passenger survived, but the helicopter disappeared into quicksand.

The remarkable engineering feat, overcoming many obstacles to build the highway, was documented in the 2014 film "My Father’s Highway" by Dixie State College filmmakers.

Kent Goodman, 84, of Henderson, Nevada, also wrote a short history of the lower gorge project. He still marvels at the courage and tenacity of the construction team.

Goodman was equipment superintendent for Peter Kiewit Sons’ Co., which was paid $13.85 million to build the roadbed and five bridges for the final 3.8 miles of the highway from 1969-71.

Kiewit started its I-15 work east of Littlefield by "pioneering a rough access road through the gorge" that crossed the Virgin River 18 times, Goodman said.

"It was the most challenging road project Kiewit ever had," he said.

The Arizona Highway Department should be “congratulated on the fine, and many times dangerous, work they performed in calculating and then laying out survey information on the rock face” using rock climbers, Goodman said.

Blazzard said the Highway Department used a “marsh buggy” with 5-foot tires to cross the river.

Kiewit brought in 140 pieces of earth-moving equipment, including 20 D8 Caterpillar bulldozers, 25 rock trucks with a 50-ton capacity and a truck crane with a 60-ton capacity.

2018-0815-truck

Truck in the 1970s driving across a river

Workers relied on 45 pickups to move around the job site. The brakes had to be replaced every six weeks because the trucks were driven across the river so often. Goodman said they quickly learned to mount two-way radios on the underside of the roofs after several trucks were flooded during deep-water crossings.

Some of the cuts on the steep canyon walls started 300 feet above the river. Workers carried jackhammers and 50-pound bags of blasting powder up the slopes.

Goodman recalled bulldozer operator Jock Carnes operating on a ridge 100 feet above the canyon floor when an anchoring sling broke.

"The D7 (Caterpillar) went skidding down the near vertical rock face with Jock riding the brakes just enough to make sure the dozer blade was staying downhill … it rolled out in the sand and gravel until Jock could stop it."

Goodman said Carnes took a short break while workers rigged a new tie-off sling and “then he started winching himself back up the slope as though nothing had happened.”

Workers were also at risk of flash flooding in the Virgin River Gorge. A 10-foot wall of water surging down the canyon was not uncommon, Blazzard said.

Kiewit had a metal barrel anchored upstream, and if it floated to a high-water mark it would trip a switch. Foremen in the lower gorge were notified by telephone that they had as little as 90 minutes to get the men and equipment to high ground before floodwater surged through the gorge.

"It was a crude system, but it worked," Goodman said.

Building I-15 opened an important route connecting California, Nevada and Utah, but it was far less important for Arizona since the highway only cut across a dog-eared corner of the Arizona Strip north of Grand Canyon.

Before Arizona completed the interstate through the gorge, travelers had to detour on US 91 north from Littlefield with slow-moving trucks grinding up Utah Hill.

"This detour on Route 91 was quite scenic, but the two-lane road made for some real challenges, sort of like an E-ticket ride at Disneyland," Goodman said.

"The saving grace for having to travel over Utah Hill was when you reached Santa Clara (Utah) you could stop at one of the fruit stands and buy a cool, white peach that was about the size of a grapefruit."

2018-0815-i-15-virgin-river-gorge

Highway dedication in 1973

Finally, after close to a decade of construction, I-15 was completed in late 1973. Arizona Gov. Jack Williams and Utah Gov. Calvin Rampton (pictured right with their wives, Lucybeth Rampton and Vera May Williams) dedicated the highway on Dec. 14, 1973. The new route cut 11 miles off the trip and traversed a scenic gorge that draws comparisons to the Grand Canyon.

"Somehow, here in the far northwest corner of Arizona, man’s efforts have enhanced rather than distracted from Nature’s handiwork," wrote JaNice Ott in an August 1988 article in Arizona Highways. She noted that bighorn sheep can be spotted on cliffs overlooking the highway.

Today, more than 24,000 vehicles per day travel through the Virgin River Gorge. Over the past few years, ADOT has completed major rehabilitation projects on the seven bridges and repaved the entire 29-mile stretch of I-15 in Arizona.

From the Archives: Construction through the mountains of northwestern Arizona

From the Archives: Construction through the mountains of northwestern Arizona

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From the Archives: Construction through the mountains of northwestern Arizona

From the Archives: Construction through the mountains of northwestern Arizona

January 11, 2018

I-15 Construction mid-60s

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

We're throwing back to the mid-'60s and construction of Interstate 15 in the far northwestern corner of Arizona. The 29-mile stretch traverses very rugged terrain through the Virgin River gorge. This photo gives you a good perspective of the steep mountains compared to the vehicle parked in path of the highway under construction.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”