Intermittent closures of westbound Interstate 10 scheduled early Thursday for bridge work east of Tucson

TUCSON – Motorists traveling westbound on Interstate 10 will encounter delays in the early morning Thursday, Nov. 19 while the Arizona Department of Transportation completes work to set girders on a new bridge east of Tucson.

Crews were able to place seven of the nine girders on the Davidson Canyon Bridge on westbound I-10 during an eight-hour closure that began last night. The concrete girders, which are 119 feet long and weigh 45,000 pounds each, are lifted off truck beds and put in place by a crane.

To complete setting the last two girders, ADOT will schedule intermittent rolling closures between 1-3 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. Arizona State Troopers will slow westbound motorists near Marsh Station Road (Exit 291) and escort vehicles toward the bridge.

The intermittent closures of the highway are necessary to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the work crews.

If crews are still in the process of placing a girder, motorists will wait until that girder is set and then will be allowed to continue heading west. Delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected during the rolling closures.

Eastbound I-10 will remain open.

The $15.1 million bridge replacement is in Davidson Canyon, approximately 20 miles east of Tucson. The project also includes repaving three segments of I-10, totaling approximately 17 miles between Tucson and Benson.

The project is replacing a bridge built in 1961 near milepost 285.

ADOT urges drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 5-1-1.