Bridges

When ADOT builds a new bridge, our top priority is to make sure the gigantic mass of steel and concrete stays right where we build it.

But that won’t be the case with a new bridge we’re constructing on State Route 79 in Florence, because this bridge is designed to move.

Or more precisely, slide. 

This new bridge’s mobile nature will be only temporary, however, as part of an innovative method of constructing a new bridge by assembling the new structure’s components next to the old bridge and then sliding them into place.

KINGMAN – As construction season in northern Arizona resumes, three bridges in the northwestern part of Arizona will be rehabilitated starting this year.

Along Interstate 40, ADOT will reconstruct the bridge decks on the bridge at Exit 123 into the east side of Seligman. The project is needed to replace the damaged elements of the bridges and to perform other upgrades to increase the lifespan of the bridges.

Learn about how wildlife species are protected along the Verde River when construction activities occur nearby.

HOLBROOK – The Hermosa Drive Bridge over Interstate 40 in Holbrook will be rehabilitated beginning this spring by the Arizona Department of Transportation, thereby extending the life of the bridge for drivers.

The bridge will receive a new bridge deck, guardrails and barriers. The roadway approaches to the bridge will be improved as well. Drivers can expect daytime and nighttime restrictions due to the construction work.  In addition, there will be periodic overnight closures of I-40 during the project. 

November is Historic Bridge Awareness Month and we want to highlight a few of our favorites in Arizona.

It may not look like much from afar ... but the Gillespie Dam bridge is a survivor in one of the most notorious bridge-problem areas in Arizona.

CAMP VERDE – An Arizona Department of Transportation project to improve the Verde River bridges on I-17 near Camp Verde is underway to add capping to the bridge footings in the river bed to prevent erosion, protecting vital infrastructure on the primary route between Phoenix and Flagstaff. 

The work utilizes a method to channel river flow through the work zone by constructing a temporary “earthen bypass channel” to contain the river flow so crews can safely work outside of the area placing concrete caps over the footings of the Verde River bridges.

One of Arizona's transportation projects is up for a big award and we need your help! 

The Dinnebito Wash Bridge is a vital crossing on State Route 264, the highway that links together all the Hopi villages. This is why the bridge rehabilitation project is so important. 

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Fourth Street Bridge replacement project in Flagstaff is receiving national recognition. The project is among a list of 12 in line for national awards from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

A former university professor is ADOT's newest bridge designer!

PHOENIX – For its efforts to improve traffic flow and safety in Flagstaff, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Fourth Street Bridge replacement project has won a regional award, as announced Wednesday by the Western Region of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

LITTLEFIELD – With lane restrictions and oversize truck detours beginning next week on the I-15 Virgin River Bridge No. 1 project in Littlefield, a new app designed to communicate traffic information and project updates is now available for free download on Apple and Android devices. 

The smartphone app, called Virgin River Bridge, was designed by the contractor for the I-15 bridge replacement project, and it will provide updates of construction activities that will likely impact traffic flow on I-15. 

A new bridge deck was poured for the project that replaces the I-17 bridge over Central Avenue. 

Our project on US 60 at Pinto Creek is more than just a new bridge going up. It's a new part of the road's history. 

On Fort Apache Reservation in eastern Arizona, ADOT is working to replace a 50-year old bridge deck.

If you haven't had a chance to drive over new Rio de Flag bridge, we have a preview of what you'll see once you do along with the work that went into making it happen. 

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation completed the installation of the new Rio de Flag bridge along Historic Route 66 in front of Flagstaff City Hall allowing the road to reopen to traffic Thursday afternoon ahead of schedule.

During the week-long closure, crews demolished the old bridge and installed the new bridge using precast bridge elements. Fabricating the bridge components ahead of time as opposed to building them in place allows the work to go more quickly, reducing the time needed to replace the bridge and impacts to traffic.

The Gila River is notoriously hard to build a bridge across. That's what made this extra-long bridge at Bylas so extraordinary.