Daily Archives: September 14, 2016

ADOT completes US 89 improvements in Cameron

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cameron-1CAMERON — US 89 through the Navajo Nation community of Cameron has a wider roadway, two new bridges over the Little Colorado River, a modern roundabout at the junction with State Route 64, and underpasses for people and livestock thanks to a recently completed Arizona Department of Transportation project.

“Traffic safety and mobility are ADOT’s top priorities,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “In addition to keeping motorists safer with a wider highway and new lighting, the people of Cameron have better mobility with new sidewalks and underpasses that provide connection on both sides of US 89.”

The $36.7 million project began in March 2014.

The four-mile, four-lane stretch of US 89 in Cameron, about 50 miles north of Flagstaff, features a raised median to enhance safety as well as four underpasses.

An older truss bridge at the Little Colorado River has also been replaced by separate bridges for northbound and southbound traffic. The new bridges meet all current state and federal standards, and can carry more traffic.

A modern roundabout built to accommodate large vehicles provides an interchange for those using SR 64 to or from the eastern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park or taking US 89 as the gateway to or from the Page/Lake Powell region, Arizona Strip, southern Utah, Four Corners area and other points of interest.

Old State Route 89 bridge over Hell Canyon to be removed

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old-hell-canyon-bridgeCHINO VALLEY — The 62-year-old State Route 89 bridge at Hell Canyon will be removed this Friday, September 16.

The Arizona Department of Transportation replaced the 1954 bridge, which no longer met state and federal design standards for larger and heavier vehicles, earlier this year. The new bridge is better able to accommodate commercial traffic, particularly oversized loads, between Prescott and Interstate 40.

Crews began dismantling the old bridge in August by removing the bridge deck. In the next step, contractors will use an implosion technique that causes the bridge girders to melt and allows the structure to collapse onto itself.

Motorists traveling on SR 89 between Prescott and Interstate 40 should expect delays of up to 30 minutes on Sept. 16 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Drivers may consider changing the time of their travel or consider alternate routes, including I-17 and I-40 through Flagstaff or US 93.

The new Hell Canyon Bridge, located about 18 miles north of Chino Valley between Prescott and Ash Fork, carries about 3,400 vehicles each day.

The new $14.4 million bridge is 665 feet long and 47 feet wide – 65 feet longer and 17 feet wider than the structure it replaces – and has added strength from a fourth span. It has 12-foot lanes and 10-foot shoulders in each direction, allowing it to better accommodate oversized loads.