State Route 95 Cottonwood Wash Bridge Replacement
State Route 95 Cottonwood Wash Bridge Replacement
Project Overview
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is building a new bridge on State Route 95 (SR-95) over Cottonwood Wash in San Juan County, Utah. The new bridge will replace the aging bridge, accommodate local and tourist traffic, and address large storm events that result in large volumes of water passing through Cottonwood Wash. Work will include the removal and replacement of asphalt on both sides of the new bridge to tie-in and make a smoother ride.
The project is on hold for the winter but is expected to resume in spring 2025. Please sign up for the latest project updates from the information below.
Traffic Control
While crews are working, there are still temporary signals directing one-way traffic. Please be aware that traffic may be shifted to the other lane as needed. Drivers are required to wait until green for their turn to proceed and can expect delays of 10 minutes or more from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. A wide load restriction is in place for over 11 feet wide.
Community Notices
Sign up for email updates from the project by emailing "Subscribe" to sr95bridge@utah.gov.
For the latest on Utah road and traffic conditions please visit udottraffic.utah.gov or check the UDOT Traffic App.
Contact Information
Questions or concerns about this construction project? Call our hotline at 888-556-0232 or email the project team at sr95bridge@utah.gov.
Project updates will be posted on this website at udotinput.utah.gov/sr95bridge.
Latest Project Update
The concrete barrier was completed last week. This week, work will focus on shutting down the project site for the rest of the winter.
As early as Thursday, December 19, all traffic control will have been moved off the road and the bridge will reopen as the project pauses. Work on the final project tasks will resume in the spring.
Past Project Updates
Paving was completed before the Thanksgiving holiday last week. A temporary cold weather asphalt mix was placed for the winter. When work resumes in the spring, it will be replaced with permanent asphalt.
Temporary road striping was placed on the new asphalt this week. The concrete for the bridge deck and parapets (or protective concrete barriers) has cured and the supportive planks were removed this week. Next week, work on the barrier will begin.
This project is still on track to wrap up work for the year before Christmas, December 25. The bridge will be temporarily reopened until crews return in the spring to complete the final project tasks.
Crews pave the road before the Thanksgiving holiday.
This week (November 18-22) concrete for the parapets (protective walls on the sides of the bridge) is being poured.
Paving is anticipated to begin Tuesday, November 26. A temporary cold weather asphalt mix will be poured for the winter. When work resumes in the spring, it will be removed and permanent asphalt will be poured in its place.
This project is currently on track to wrap up work for the year before Christmas, December 25. The bridge will be temporarily reopened until crews return in the spring to complete the final project tasks.
Last week (November 4-8), the concrete poured for the bridge deck finished curing. In preparation for the concrete pours coming in the next few weeks, crews also set forms and installed rebar for the bridge parapets and approaches. The approach slabs will be placed today.
Slope grading, which is done to prevent landscape erosion, will continue through the end of this week.
Paving is anticipated to begin next Friday, November 22. Crews will pour a temporary cold weather asphalt mix for the winter. They will return in spring 2025 to remove that mix and pour permanent asphalt in its place.
This project is currently on track to wrap up work for the year before Christmas, December 25. The bridge will be temporarily reopened until crews return in the spring to complete the final project tasks.
Concrete girders were set at the beginning of last week. Starting October 21, crews will form the deck and bridge ends. Then crews will install the deck rebar.
In preparation for paving in a few weeks, crews are grading and compacting the roadway northwest of the bridge. They will continue this work in the northeast section of the road this week.
Crews pouring concrete for the bridge parapets. August 2024.
Crews pour concrete for the bridge deck. August 2024.
Photos from night installation of bridge girders. July 2024.
Photos of the Cottonwood Wash Bridge work zone taken June 20, 2024. Crews are continuing to drill shafts into the bedrock over the week in preparation for building the bridge walls.
The bridge in late May 2024 shortly after the start of construction.
Repairs are completed and Cottonwood Wash Bridge is reopen for traffic.
Repair project in progress October 2021.
Photos from before repair project August 2021.
Cottonwood Wash Bridge Span
Cottonwood Wash Bridge abutment before erosion in 2019.
Cottonwood Wash Bridge abutment after erosion in August 2021.
Engineers at the Cottonwood Wash Bridge in August 2021.
Background: Emergency Bridge Repair
A routine general inspection of the bridge on August 2, 2021 revealed potential issues with erosion, prompting further evaluation of the site by a structural engineering team. UDOT closed the bridge and a structural evaluation team determined the collapse of sandstone at the footing of the east abutment was significant enough to close the bridge for public safety while UDOT pursued an emergency repair to the structure. Engineers say it appears high flows in the wash during flash flooding scoured a lower layer of rock away, leaving the upper layer of rock unsupported. The bridge spans approximately 110 feet and was built in 1959.
The bridge reopened October 28, 2021 after temporary repairs were made.