ADOT receives environmental award for San Pedro bridge replacement near Sierra Vista
ADOT receives environmental award for San Pedro bridge replacement near Sierra Vista
We originally shared this video in December 2012, when work to replace the San Pedro River Bridge was underway.
We have some great news to share…
ADOT has been recognized for its environmental protection efforts while rebuilding the San Pedro Bridge through a sensitive conservation area on State Route 90 east of Sierra Vista! The American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation’s annual Globe Awards this month highlighted ADOT’s work to protect the natural environment during a nearly two-year reconstruction.
You remember this project, right? We blogged about it during construction and featured some videos that highlighted many of the project aspects that were recognized with the award.
The project, which was designed to replace a bridge originally built in 1955, included the construction of a new structure featuring wider traffic lanes, emergency shoulders and greater clearance over the San Pedro River.
The bridge’s location – it sits in one of two congressionally designated national riparian conservation areas in the country – factored into the project’s progression.
While the bridge replacement began in October 2012, work halted the following April through October to avoid disrupting the migratory bird season in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.
Other environmental mitigation measures included a containment plan to prevent debris from contaminating the San Pedro, along with lead paint abatement before the old bridge was demolished. Also, the project included re-seeding vegetation and planting trees. ADOT also employed a biologist to monitor construction impacts on the river as well as the more than 200 animal species and 250 migratory bird species in the area.
The San Pedro Bridge is an important link between the communities of Sierra Vista, Tombstone and Bisbee. The $6.2 million project was completed in March 2014.
More on the award
The Globe Award recognizes transportation agencies that do an outstanding job protecting the environment in the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects. The recognition was in the category of bridges costing less than $10 million.