7th Street Salt River Bridge Reconstruction

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​7th Street Bridge Reopens

​After an expedited six-month repair and reconstruction project, the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department reopened the 7th Street bridge on Saturday, August 28, 2021.

A gas utility line fire on February 28, 2021 caused significant damage to the bridge, which spans the Salt River and Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. Approximately 40 percent of the structure was damaged and needed to be rebuilt.​

Access to city trails under the bridge also was restricted. A project to refurbish the trails and revegetate the area was completed in fall 2021.​


Interesting Project Facts

  • Crews worked to install 20 new rebar-reinforced concrete girders, each weighing 191,000 pounds

  • Repouring of the driving surface required 705 tons of concrete

  • The bridge deck was poured on August 6, requiring a convoy of more than 80 concrete trucks

  • Handrails along the entire bridge were replaced and updated to meet current safety standards

  • The new portion of the bridge has a 75-year lifespan​​​


PHX Newsroom Updates

​April 22, 2022: 7th Street Bridge Repair Earns National Award​

August 28, 2021: 7th Street Bridge Reopens

March 12, 2021: 7th Street Bridge Repair Work Set to Begin ​

Feb. 28, 2021: 7th Street Bridge Closed Until Further Notice


Construction Time-Lapse Video​


Bridge Closure News Conference

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, District 8 Councilmember Carlos Garcia, representatives from Southwest Gas and city officials addressed the media regarding the bridge fire and closure on February 28, 2021.​

 
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Project Progress Photos


Damage to the bridge from fire​​

Damage to the bridge from the fire.


 

Demolition work began on Monday, March 15.

Progress on 7th St Bridge Repair 

Progress continued the week of March 15.

Progress on 7th St Bridge Repair

Demolition work neared completion the week of March 31.​

Progress on 7th St Bridge Repair
Progress continued the week of April 5.

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Progress continued the week of May 10.​

Bridge Construction as of May 18, 2021

​Pier and abutment construction as of May 18​​

Concrete girders reinforced with rebar manufactured locally in Phoenix

Rebar-reinforced concrete girder to support bridge decking

Crane apparatus to lift and place bridge girders that will support the bridge deck

Crane apparatus that will be used to place the girders to support the bridge decking

Crane lifts girder into place on north end of 7th Street Bridge over the Rio Salado riverbed

191,000 pound girder being lowered into place on June ​15, 2021

Girders in alignment - these will support the bridge deck

Precisely aligned girders will support the bridge deck when it is poured next month​​

The bridge deck was poured on August 6, 2021

The bridge deck was poured on August 6.​