We are just under a year into our project to replace the aging bridge on US 60 over Pinto Creek between Superior and Miami, which means it's as good a time as any to check in and see how things are progressing.

After several weeks of blasting last fall to create a safe access road, crews have now started on the meat of the project – building the piers for a bridge to replace the current one (which is more than 70 years old!). As you can see in this slideshow, they are hard at work getting the concrete-and-rebar supports for the new bridge ready to go. Later we'll also begin putting in the steel girders to hold up the deck, which will require some overnight closures. By the by, you can see that new access road winding down the canyon in one of the first photos. 

The new bridge is being built adjacent to the old one, which will be removed. A five-day closure of US 60 is tentatively scheduled for summer 2021 to align the highway with the abutments for the new structure. Remember, you can sign up to receive traffic alerts relating to the bridge's construction at the project's page on our website and you can always check az511.gov to find up-to-date information on construction or other restrictions.

While construction can seem slow at times, big projects are always advancing upward. That's why we love this captivating photo that draws our focus upward.

The dynamic and a bit metaphorical shot below shows crews hard (and high) at work building the supports for the new bridge on US 60 over Pinto Creek. As you can see, things are defintely going in the right direction to complete this important project. The sun is even shining down, with the line of the lens flare meeeting the line of the rebar.

It may not be as fun as watching rock blasting, but you can still see that things are looking up for the new bridge.

Art of Transportation
We think there is beauty in transportation. It’s not all hard hats and pavement. Art of Transportation is a blog series featuring unique photos our team has taken while on the road or on a construction project.

The first major work on the Pinto Creek Bridge replacement project began in early November with a bang – or to be more precise, a blast.

And crews have kept at it ever since, using explosives to blast away solid rock next to the 70-year-old bridge on US 60 between Superior and Miami. But after three months of blasting operations on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, the most dramatic part of the two-year job is complete.

That also means we’re done with four-hour highway closures when blasting was underway, ending one of the most significant traffic restrictions expected for this project.

Drivers should still plan for daytime lane restrictions and budget extra travel time between Superior and Miami as crews haul material through the work site. We expect these restrictions to last about four to six weeks.

The Pinto Creek Bridge site will remain a busy area as crews focus on work that includes a new bridge abutment. And crews have established an access road to the bottom of the canyon so they can construct bridge piers. You can see some of the work done so far in the slideshow to the right.

By mid-summer, major work will shift to placing steel girders and pouring concrete. Overnight closures are expected for portions of that work. And toward the end of the project, expect a five-day closure of US 60 as we shift the road slightly to line up with the new structure.

To get the latest information on restrictions for the Pinto Creek Bridge replacement project, please visit azdot.gov/PintoCreekBridge.