The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a series of bridge rehabilitation projects in the Virgin River Gorge area beginning in early 2014. The projects are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the Interstate 15 Virgin River Gorge corridor which was originally constructed during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Work is expected to begin on Monday, Jan. 6 and to continue through much of the summer of 2014. This initial $2.8 million project will upgrade the southbound bridge surfaces, repair girders and perform other work on Virgin River Bridge No. 2 (milepost 13), Bridge No. 3 (milepost 15) and Bridge No. 7 (milepost 22).
In addition, at the January 2014 State Transportation Board meeting, the board is expected to consider the award of a contract for the reconstruction of Virgin River Bridge No. 6 (milepost 16). This significant rehabilitation project will include the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the gorge.
This $27 million project, which received a federal grant awarded to ADOT last year, is scheduled to launch in spring 2014 and be completed in 2015.
With limited alternate routes, ADOT is urging drivers traveling between Mesquite and St. George to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down and drive carefully through the work zone. I-15 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction at each of the bridge projects and delays are expected.
Construction will occur primarily during weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The majority of the work will take place in the southbound lanes, requiring two-way traffic in the northbound lanes.
Interstate 15 is one of the most heavily traveled commercial and economic corridors linking southern California with the Rocky Mountain region. Ultimately, ADOT will need to rehabilitate all eight of the I-15 Virgin River bridges. While the bridges are still considered safe for travel, they require extensive refurbishment to continue serving the substantial volume of traffic along the I-15 corridor. More than 1.4 million commercial trucks travel annually on Arizona’s portion of the interstate.
Funding all of the I-15 Virgin River bridge rehabilitation projects will be a challenge. Current estimates indicate that all improvements could cost as much as $250 million.
In 2012, ADOT completed an $11.6 million pavement improvement project from the Virgin River to the Utah state line (mileposts 13-29) and has budgeted nearly $15 million to complete the repaving of the entire Arizona segment of the highway by paving a 13-mile portion that extends to the Nevada state line (mileposts 1-13) in 2015.
When the 29-mile-long Arizona segment of I-15 opened in 1973, the Virgin River Gorge passage was the most expensive section of rural highway, per mile, constructed in the country.
ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions. Unscheduled restrictions or closures may occur. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 5-1-1; outside Arizona, dial 1-888-411-ROAD (7623).
For more information about these projects, please visit www.azdot.gov/I15virginriver.
