Interstate 15 Virgin River Bridge No. 1 Study

Overview

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration is holding a public hearing Wednesday, Nov. 29, in Littlefield, for the I-15, Virgin River Bridge No. 1 Draft Environmental Assessment.

Documents

Age, increased truck use, weather, and de-icing salts have all contributed to heavy wear on the I-15 roadway and the eight Virgin River bridges within Arizona. FHWA identified the need to repair all of the bridges within this segment. Because the structural assessment of Bridge No. 1 identified it as structurally deficient, ADOT has prioritized efforts to rehabilitate this structure. Based on an assessment of past, current, and forecasted conditions of I-15 and Bridge No. 1 within the study area, the following issues surrounding the bridge have been identified as warranting a need for action: repairing structural deficiencies, the ability to accommodate high volumes of truck traffic, the need to support interstate and regional travel, and controlling unauthorized use of the ROW.

The purpose of the proposed project is to maintain I-15 as a regional traffic corridor for the long-term by remedying the Bridge No. 1 structural deficiencies so that I-15 can continue to accommodate truck traffic and serve as a regional traffic corridor that facilitates the movement of people, goods, and services while minimizing maintenance requirements. This action would help ADOT meet its long-range goal of maintaining I-15 as an essential trade and truck route linking Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.

Public Hearing

Draft Environmental Assessment is available for review and comment

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration held a public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 29, for the public to learn about and comments on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the I-15 Virgin River Bridge No. 1 bridge rehabilitation project, near Littlefield and Beaver Dam in Mohave County.

Documents

Three issues related to the bridge have been identified: structural deficiencies, the ability to accommodate high volumes of truck traffic and the need to support interstate and regional travel. A preferred design solution to replace the bridge and widen the roadway shoulders in construction phases is proposed.

Representatives from ADOT and the project team were available at the public hearing to answer questions about the project. The public hearing was also an opportunity for members of the public to provide formal verbal testimony on the draft EA to the study team. A court reporter was available to record individual verbal comments as well.

A range of alternatives were evaluated and the analysis is documented in the draft EA, which is available for review through Dec. 14, 2017. The draft EA is available to review online and at the following locations during business hours:

• Mesquite Library, 121 W. First North St., Mesquite, Nevada 89027
• Washington County Library-St. George Branch, 88 W. 100 South St., St. George, Utah 84770
• Beaver Dam Lodge, 452 Old Highway 91 North, Littlefield, Arizona 86432

There are several opportunities for the public to provide comments on the draft EA during the comment period. All comment methods are considered equal.

• At the public hearing (written or verbal)
• In writing: I-15, Bridge 1, 101 N. First Ave., Suite 2600, Phoenix, AZ 85003
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 855.712.8530