I-17 101 traffic interchange

US 191 bridge north of Morenci to close for repairs

US 191 bridge north of Morenci to close for repairs

February 27, 2019

PHOENIX – A US 191 bridge about 7 miles north of the entrance to the Morenci Mine will close at noon Thursday, Feb. 28, for urgently needed repairs to a bridge abutment.

US 191 will remain open except for the area around the bridge, which is located north of Morenci near milepost 177. There is no estimated time for the bridge to reopen.

Drivers traveling between Morenci and Alpine will need to take US 191 south from Morenci to Three Way, follow SR 78 east into New Mexico to US 180, and follow US 180 north to Alpine.

The bridge was built by Freeport McMoRan, which operates the mine. A recent inspection identified the need to close it for repairs to address deterioration to an abutment that has occurred over time.