• A great engineering feat of its timeA great engineering feat of its time

• Most expensive Interstate (per mile) Most expensive Interstate (per mile) at time of constructionat time of construction

• Steep grades, over 30 curvesSteep grades, over 30 curves

• Sheer cliffs in a deep canyonSheer cliffs in a deep canyon

• 40% trucks & commercial vehicles40% trucks & commercial vehicles

• LCVs (TP doubles, triples) permittedLCVs (TP doubles, triples) permitted

• Northbound bridge decks suffered Northbound bridge decks suffered little damage over the yearslittle damage over the years

• However, southbound bridge decks However, southbound bridge decks developed significant damage & developed significant damage & potholespotholes

• Relatively little snowfall on I-15Relatively little snowfall on I-15in Arizonain Arizona

...but heavy snowfall in Utah...but heavy snowfall in Utah

• ADOT uses relatively small amount ADOT uses relatively small amount of salt & chemicals for ice controlof salt & chemicals for ice control

– but UDOT does use saltbut UDOT does use salt

• Much of southbound bridge damage Much of southbound bridge damage apparently due to salt tracked down apparently due to salt tracked down from Utah roadsfrom Utah roads……and the occasional boulder off a cliff faceand the occasional boulder off a cliff face

• Not enough funding to fix all seven Not enough funding to fix all seven bridgesbridges– Two worst bridges fixed firstTwo worst bridges fixed first

• Repair deck on southbound half of bridge– One lane reconstructed at a time

• Southbound traffic kept on the same bridge, but shifted into one lane

• Complications:– Bridge length of over 1000 ft– Entire bridge is on a curve– Southbound I-15 is on a downgrade– No shoulders

• Turning template and off-tracking analysis performed– All standard STAA combinations OK– Rocky Mountain & Turnpike Doubles OK– Triple Trailers OK

…but might leave a little rubber here & there

– Overwidth/Overlength (>105’) NOT OK

Sample Turning Template Run - Triple Trailer Combination

• Repair deck on southbound half of bridge– Entire SB deck reconstructed all at once

• Southbound traffic shifted over to northbound roadway– TWTLO, separated by temporary barrier– Crossover construction required

• Northbound traffic restricted to one lane– Same width restrictions as southbound

• Off-duty uniformed officers and marked patrol cars hired for traffic control– Standard ADOT procedure– Used extensively in this project

• Officers from many different agencies used– Arizona DPS used when available

• Mohave County Sheriff• Colorado City Marshal• Utah Highway Patrol• (Nevada Highway Patrol was invited, but declined)

• Bridge Deck Construction Problems– During placement of new deck, adjacent

traffic could not travel faster than 5-15 MPH for the first 72 hours

• Otherwise, vibration causes new deck to crack and fail

• This resulted in long delays & backups during deck pours

• nearly 7 miles long at times

• Mandatory brake check exit for all southbound (downhill) trucks– Set up at interchange north of project– Staffed by ADOT MVD enforcement– Warned drivers of upcoming

construction– “Last chance” to catch oversize trucks

before they get stuck

• I-15 is a popular route for oversize loads, both local and long-distance

• Nearly 200 oversize load permits issued for I-15 in AZ every month

• Numerous “blanket” oversize load permits issued as well

• Few other good alternate routes

• All oversize loads would need to be detoured around the work zone during bridge construction

…but where?

• Good news: Detour routes identified

• Bad news: Too many routes to sign– No one “best” route– Depends on direction & destination

• Can’t possibly trailblaze or sign all routes

…especially not for hundreds of miles• Would confuse other travelers

• Detour information signs – Provide information to travelers– but don’t define a single detour

• ADOT 800 number “hotline” on sign– Detailed project info– Detailed closure info– Alternate route suggestions

• Detour information signs needed in four states– some signs placed over 300 miles from

the work site!

• Approval of out-of-state signs– Encroachment permits required by most DOTs– Lots of paperwork and forms– Other agencies typically glad to help, and want

to “smooth the process” on projects like this

• Numerous press releases issued– Targeted to truckers & oversize load haulers– but still of interest to all I-15 travelers/media

• Sent & faxed to non-traditional locations– Truck stops– Ports of entry

• Held prior to construction - over 50 attendees!– State DOTs

• Design/Construction/Maintenance

– Contractor• Subcontractors / Traffic Control

– Enforcement• Highway Patrol / Sheriff / Motor Carrier

• Construction went fine• Contractor completed ahead of schedule• No oversize loads got stuck!• Contractor, agencies, and the traveling

public were pleased with the work and its results

• Positive “PR” due to successful project

• Project improved communications between the state DOTs– Work together to solve mutual problems– Improved relations & coordination– No longer just a “voice on the phone”

• Communication with and between other agencies improved as well

• Contact other agencies early– Find out about problems/process– Permitting process for signs in other states can take a

long time– Start early, be patient, and stay on top of the project

• Every agency is a bit different– Get to know the other agency– Find the right contact people in the right area to get the

right answers

• There’s no substitute for face-to-face meetings– E-mail, fax, phone, and mail help…

…but those only go so far

• Arrange out-of-state travel, meetings, and inspections in advance– One overlooked or delayed travel authorization

can throw everything behind schedule…

…and many more