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Duval Mine at I-19 closes tomorrow
During four-day demolition
By Philip Franchine
A reminder: The state is closing Duval Mine Road at Interstate 19 for four days, starting tomorrow, as demolition work gets under way.
The demolition of the existing bridge is a signal that the $14 million reconstruction of the interchange is about halfway finished.
Demolition of the old bridge is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, now that the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has completed construction of the southern half of the new overpass.
The contractor, Granite Construction Co., is scheduled to remove the old bridge between tomorrow and Sunday, and then begin construction of the northern half of the new roadway and bridge.
For safety reasons, officials will not allow I-19 traffic under the old bridge while it is being demolished, ADOT Engineer Edward "Nippy" Feldhake said.
In order to keep I-19 traffic flowing during the demolition, all I-19 traffic will be detoured onto the off-ramps for Duval Mine Road and re-enter I-19 via the on-ramps from Duval Mine Road.
However, Duval Mine Road will be closed to traffic at the bridge over I-19 and traffic will not be allowed to enter or exit the highway.
Access to businesses along the I-19 frontage road and Duval Mine Road will remain open during the next four days.
Motorists can access businesses on Duval Mine Road west of I-19 from La Canada Drive. Businesses on Duval Mine Road east of the freeway can be reached from Abrego Drive and Old Nogales Highway.
Eastbound and westbound drivers on Duval Mine Road will need to find alternate routes across I-19.
Extra signs will be placed around the area to help the traveling public. Northbound I-19 traffic traveling to the Sahuarita High School graduation on Thursday, May 19, will need to exit at Helmet Peak Road/Sahuarita Road.
During the first phase of construction, Granite Construction Co. maintained traffic on the existing road, while finishing the southern portion of the new bridge and roadway.
Granite then completed work on the bridge abutments, drilled and poured nine caissons, erected the bridge girders and imported approximately 72,000 cubic yards of fill material for the new I-19 northbound off-ramp.
Following the demolition of the old bridge, Duval Mine Road will reopen to through traffic, using the new southern portion of the bridge on Monday, May 23.
All traffic on Duval Mine Road will be shifted onto the new structure and roadway.
Began last November
The $14 million project, which began the first week of November 2004, is in the town of Sahuarita and involves the reconstruction of Duval Mine Road for approximately 2,000 feet on each side of I-19.
In addition to replacing the existing bridge, the project entails removing and replacing on-ramps, off-ramps and frontage roads.
The new structures are intended to enhance public safety, improve traffic flow, and create an aesthetic identity, ADOT officials said. Local officials have long requested improvements in the bridge's width and sightlines, which are considered dangerous.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2005.
The new Duval Mine Road section at I-19 will feature two lanes in each direction, five-foot-wide bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, a closed storm drain system, curbs, raised medians and traffic signals.
Once construction is completed, the new traffic signals on Duval Mine Road should improve traffic flow and safety.
pfranchine@gvnews.com | 547-9738
The demolition of the existing bridge is a signal that the $14 million reconstruction of the interchange is about halfway finished.
Demolition of the old bridge is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, now that the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has completed construction of the southern half of the new overpass.
The contractor, Granite Construction Co., is scheduled to remove the old bridge between tomorrow and Sunday, and then begin construction of the northern half of the new roadway and bridge.
For safety reasons, officials will not allow I-19 traffic under the old bridge while it is being demolished, ADOT Engineer Edward "Nippy" Feldhake said.
In order to keep I-19 traffic flowing during the demolition, all I-19 traffic will be detoured onto the off-ramps for Duval Mine Road and re-enter I-19 via the on-ramps from Duval Mine Road.
However, Duval Mine Road will be closed to traffic at the bridge over I-19 and traffic will not be allowed to enter or exit the highway.
Access to businesses along the I-19 frontage road and Duval Mine Road will remain open during the next four days.
Motorists can access businesses on Duval Mine Road west of I-19 from La Canada Drive. Businesses on Duval Mine Road east of the freeway can be reached from Abrego Drive and Old Nogales Highway.
Eastbound and westbound drivers on Duval Mine Road will need to find alternate routes across I-19.
Extra signs will be placed around the area to help the traveling public. Northbound I-19 traffic traveling to the Sahuarita High School graduation on Thursday, May 19, will need to exit at Helmet Peak Road/Sahuarita Road.
During the first phase of construction, Granite Construction Co. maintained traffic on the existing road, while finishing the southern portion of the new bridge and roadway.
Granite then completed work on the bridge abutments, drilled and poured nine caissons, erected the bridge girders and imported approximately 72,000 cubic yards of fill material for the new I-19 northbound off-ramp.
Following the demolition of the old bridge, Duval Mine Road will reopen to through traffic, using the new southern portion of the bridge on Monday, May 23.
All traffic on Duval Mine Road will be shifted onto the new structure and roadway.
Began last November
The $14 million project, which began the first week of November 2004, is in the town of Sahuarita and involves the reconstruction of Duval Mine Road for approximately 2,000 feet on each side of I-19.
In addition to replacing the existing bridge, the project entails removing and replacing on-ramps, off-ramps and frontage roads.
The new structures are intended to enhance public safety, improve traffic flow, and create an aesthetic identity, ADOT officials said. Local officials have long requested improvements in the bridge's width and sightlines, which are considered dangerous.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2005.
The new Duval Mine Road section at I-19 will feature two lanes in each direction, five-foot-wide bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, a closed storm drain system, curbs, raised medians and traffic signals.
Once construction is completed, the new traffic signals on Duval Mine Road should improve traffic flow and safety.
pfranchine@gvnews.com | 547-9738
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