This is the September 24, 2013 weekly construction update for the Sahuarita Road Phase II project, specifically Project Segments 2A and 2B .
This week, within the Segment 2A Project, crews will finish installion of the future westbound bridge pier column caps as well as the bridge abutments/wingwalls. The completion of these items will allow for delivering and installation of the new concrete girders (beams) that will support the bridge deck. One-by-one the concrete girders (beams) for the new westbound bridge at the Santa Cruz River will arrive onsite and be placed with cranes on the new abutments and piers that were previously constructed. Each concrete girder will be just over 131-feet in length, 6-feet tall, and weigh approximately 154,000 pounds. The new westbound bridge will be five girders wide and the overall length of the bridge will be comprised of four spans, totaling nearly 531-feet in length. This configuration results in a total of twenty girders that will be delivered to the project and installed between Monday, September 30th and Thursday, October 3rd (weather permitting). The deliveries are being scheduled and coordinated to minimize impacts to traffic on Sahuarita Road, but please use caution and adhere to all traffic control warnings/devices if you happen to come upon one of the “Oversize Loads” on its way to the new bridge.
All Sahuarita Road traffic, between La Villita Road and Nogales Highway, is currently shifted to the new eastbound lanes (and on the new bridge at the Santa Cruz River). This traffic shift is allowing the construction of the future westbound lanes and new westbound bridge across the Santa Cruz River. Speed limits will be reduced in the vicinity of traffic shift for the safety of the workers and traveling public.
The Segment 2B project – Nogales Highway Realignment – is approximately two-miles in length, roughly one-mile North and one-mile South of Sahuarita Road. A new signalized traffic intersection at Sahuarita Road was constructed west of its original location (i.e. the intersection moved closer to the Santa Cruz River) and a new railroad crossing signal was also installed. All northbound and southbound Nogales Highway traffic is now using the new roadway alignment. As part of the new Nogales Highway opening, the old intersection configuration was closed to traffic and access is now prohibited. Eastbound and westbound Sahuarita Road traffic remains open, but access to/from Nogales Highway is now provided at the new signalized intersection.
As part of the ongoing construction efforts, drivers should be aware of all traffic control devices/signage and all speed limit reductions, as large equipment may be working near the roadways.
A summary of the anticipated short-term (2-3 week) construction activities can be seen in the September 24, 2013 Look Ahead Schedule