By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications

Travelers heading westbound on State 90 toward Sierra Vista might spot a small stone marker painted white on the north side of the highway, just before crossing the San Pedro River.

For those who have time to stop and investigate, they will find a plaque on the stone slab commemorating a small but interesting bit of Arizona history: the Mormon Battalion and the "Battle of the Bulls."

Recruited in Iowa in July 1846 due to the Mexican-American War, the battalion was tasked with carving a southern wagon train route to San Diego.

Despite a 2,000-mile march, mostly across Mexican and Native American territory, and their occupation of the pueblo of Tucson, the battalion only fought one "battle" during its year in service. While camping alongside the San Pedro, the men's presence attracted the attention of wild cattle that had been abandoned by Spanish or Mexican ranchers. The herd's bulls stampeded, leading to a short skirmish that saw three men wounded, two mules gored and more than 10 of the bulls shot.

This marker was set up by Boy Scout Troop No. 21 in 1960 to commemorate the event, dubbed later the "Battle of the Bulls.

Arizona highways are lined with interesting monuments such as this one to remember the people, places and events that helped shaped the state. We did a rundown of some of the more famous and interesting monuments in blog post last year.

Public involvement truly helps shape ADOT projects … just ask residents living near the San Pedro River Bridge.

Their local bridge sits on SR 90 and is slated for replacement – construction has already begun, in fact.

But, way before work got started earlier this week those residents took part in several ADOT public meetings where they were given a couple of different construction schedule alternatives.

One option called for a full closure of SR 90 at the San Pedro River…

That choice would have allowed the bridge replacement to wrap up in a six-month time frame, but it would have meant very lengthy detours for residents. The option was eliminated after comments from residents indicated a preference for a longer project schedule that would be able to keep SR 90 open through the duration.

18-month construction schedule – no extended full closure
“We’ll have a six-month construction period, six months of shut down for the summer migratory bird season in the San Pedro riparian wilderness area, which is where the bridge project is, and then six more months to finish the bridge,” says ADOT Senior Community Relations Officer C.T. Revere.

What else do drivers need to know?
This bridge, constructed in 1955, will be replaced by a new structure featuring wider traffic lanes and shoulders that meet current standards and provide adequate space for vehicles – including emergency responders, bicycles and pedestrians.

Construction on the $7 million bridge replacement project started Oct. 1 and once work is complete (by spring 2014), drivers can expect:

• A new 44-foot wide bridge that replaces the existing 26-foot wide bridge.
•  Two 12-foot traffic lanes and 10-foot shoulders in both directions.
• Improved guardrails, and roadway and bridge approaches.
• A new bridge that’s six feet higher than the existing structure (this is to comply with 100-year floodplain requirements.

Drivers also should take note of this project’s impact on traffic…

• A temporary traffic signal will guide alternating traffic through a single shared lane during construction. Wait times are expected to be 5 to 8 minutes, with delays of up to 15 minutes possible. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
• Some overnight closures of SR 90 will be required for the safety of the public. Those scheduled closures will be announced in advance.
• ADOT intends to have one lane open in each direction with no traffic signal during the season that construction work is shut down.

Have you “liked” ADOT’s Facebook page yet?

Well, what are you waiting for!?! Maybe we’re a little bit biased, but we think some pretty cool stuff gets posted over there, including this photo from a few weeks ago

It was posted as part of a “Where in AZ?” challenge, but actually proved to be not that much of a challenge – quite a few people guessed the location right away!

Which brings us to the topic of today’s blog post: the photo … well, not the photo, but the project that’s in the photo, more specifically the I-10/SR 90 traffic interchange project.

It sits southeast of Tucson and just west of Benson (many of you who have taken a trip to Kartchner Caverns might recognize the turnoff).

You’ll learn more about the project in the video above, but basically this project is going to reconstruct the existing traffic interchange and realign more than a mile of curves on I-10 west of SR 90.

The new interchange and realignment will feature wider entrance and exit ramps with traffic signals, overpass bridges that will provide for future growth, and a design that will accommodate a future project to add a westbound I-10 climbing lane starting at the Ocotillo Road exit east of SR 90.

If that wasn’t enough, the project also entails the construction of new access roads to SR 90, drainage improvements, improved lighting, utility relocation and other roadway enhancements.

The project is scheduled for completion by fall 2012, except for the final paving – due to upcoming colder weather (it's got to get here eventually, right?) the paving work will take place in spring 2013. We’ll keep you updated on the progress here on the blog and on our Facebook page (hint, hint … go “like” us!).