This is the November 5, 2013 construction update for the Sahuarita Road Phase II project, specifically Project Segments 2A and 2B .
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.
This week, within the Segment 2A Project, crews continue to construct the abutment diaphragm walls and form the deck for the future westbound bridge. As part of the bridge deck forming, steel reinforcement bars are being placed in advance of the structural concrete that will ultimately make up the bridge deck. Along the river banks, crews are installing barricade railing at the edges of the new soil cement bank protection. Curb grading has started for the future westbound lanes, in the vicinity of the La Villita Road intersection - curb installations and other subgrade improvements (in advance of asphalt pavement) are scheduled to begin on the remaining portion of the westbound lanes.
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. Ongoing work in the 2B project includes the installation of a landscape irrigation system.
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 November 5, 2013 Look Ahead Schedule