Arizona DOT Chooses Acrow’s Prefabricated Modular Steel Bridging to Reduce Work Zone Impact During Major Bridge Renovation in Tucson

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 11, 2017 -- Acrow Bridge, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, has announced that it designed and provided a temporary bridge to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for use during a $3.3 million project to demolish and replace the Interstate 10 bridge decks over Craycroft Road on Tucson’s south side. It is expected that replacement of the decks will prolong the life of the existing bridge.

I-10 is the major east-west interstate highway across Arizona. Built in the 1950s, the highway is heavily traveled by both commercial and private vehicles. Data from ADOT estimated the Average Annual Daily Traffic at the Craycroft Road exit to be 60,768 in 2015.

To move the project ahead with as little traffic interruption as possible and provide a safe environment for motorists and construction workers, a 200-ton, 200-feet-long Acrow modular bridge was ordered and installed in March 2017. The temporary bridge was constructed on-site and assembled in the median space between the existing bridges. It was initially configured to carry eastbound traffic, while the deck on the eastbound route was renovated. Upon completion of that phase of the project, westbound traffic was routed over the temporary structure in order to allow for renovation of the westbound deck. 

Detours such as this are being increasingly used by state DOTs. Work zone fatalities continue to be an increasing problem and the use of bypass bridging is one method to ensure a safe worksite. Providing a route that separates vehicles from a construction zone is far safer for both motorists and workers in the area. Additionally, in order to minimize traffic delay costs, keeping traffic moving at speed is critical, especially on a busy interstate highway as was the case with this project. Other re-routing methods such as a frontage road bypass or a cross-over splitting the road with head-on traffic would slow traffic greatly.

It is expected the Acrow structure will be in place until completion of the project in late fall 2017.

“Acrow modular detour bridges are a logical choice for state DOTs and contractors who need to stay on or ahead of schedule and, at the same time, assure motorist and worker safety,” said Bill Killeen, President and CEO of Acrow Bridge. “Acrow modular detour bridges, available for rent or purchase, are cost-effective and provide safe and reliable passage for motorists and enhanced safety in the construction zone.”

About Acrow Bridge
Acrow Bridge has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 60 years with a full line of modular steel bridging solutions for vehicle, rail, military and pedestrian use. Acrow’s extensive international presence includes its leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 80 countries, covering Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.

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