US 60: Queen Creek and Waterfall Canyon Bridges Project

The Queen Creek Bridge built in 1949, and the Waterfall Canyon built in 1929, were built to standards in those times; however those standards no longer meet the current minimum bridge guidelines of ADOT or the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. ADOT has completed multiple maintenance projects on the bridges to extend their lives; however due to weather and continued traffic-induced vibrations, the structures have reached the end of their useful lives.

Construction of access roads to the project site in the canyon located below the Queen Creek Bridge is scheduled to begin in early 2024. Work on the bridge is scheduled to begin after construction of the access roads is complete. The project is expected to last approximately two and a half years.

Drivers should expect occasional restrictions and closures of  US 60 in the work zone during certain work, such as rock blasting. Closures will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m in the early phases of the project.  ADOT will notify the public in advance when specific restrictions or closures are planned and the project team will set up message boards on the US 60 in advance. Subscribe to receive traffic alerts and project updates by email.

During full closures of US 60, ADOT will detour traffic onto State Route 77 and State Route 177. However, due to the length of this detour (approximately 75 miles) drivers might want to consider planning travel before 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m.

The two bridges are located in an area frequented by hikers, rock climbers, and other recreational users. For the safety of recreational users and the work crews, areas within and near the work zones will be restricted during construction.

Waterfall Canyon Bridge area - The US 60 pull-out east of the Queen Creek tunnel nearest the Waterfall Canyon Bridge is expected to be closed during Waterfall Canyon Bridge reconstruction. Other nearby pull-outs may close intermittently based on the contractor’s staging needs. In addition, the area near the bridge will be inaccessible due to construction work.

Queen Creek Bridge area - The Lost Trail will be closed through the project site during construction from the Magma Avenue Trailhead in Superior to the west of the historical Claypool Tunnel.