Arizona’s Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced this week that the Gilbert Road Bridge has reopened all of its lanes after two years of construction.
Tom Galvin, Board of Supervisors chairman, said in a statement that the bridge is a “vital connection” to the East Valley.
“It provides a link via State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) for the efficient movement of goods, services, and people across the state helping to secure Maricopa County’s strong economic position,” Galvin said.
The new structure that cost $48.6 million to replace is located along Gilbert Road between Loop 202 and State Route 87, which runs through Fountain Hills to Payson.
The project included adding two lanes in each direction on the bridge, a new traffic signal at the Thomas Road intersection and new roads connecting the bridge to S.R. 87 and Mesa.
Additionally, construction included a new storm drain and a new 36-inch waterline for Salt River Project’s water delivery system.
One lane in each direction had previously opened in June while MCDOT finished construction on the second half of the bridge.
About 13,000 cars use the bridge daily, according to 2019 data from MCDOT.
The former bridge was replaced to address its aging infrastructure and prevent flood closures during high water flows in the Salt River.
The bridge was originally built in 1990 using salvaged beams from an old Salt River Bridge crossing at Rural Road in Tempe, according to MCDOT.
Source: Azcentral.com, KTAR.com
