January 13, 2012 AACE Annual Meeting, Wickenburg, AZ I-15 in Arizona. Its Past, Present, and Future Jean A. Nehme, Ph.D., P.E. State Bridge Engineer, ADOT
Presentation Overview Location, History, and Photographs Condition of the I-15 Virgin River Bridges ADOT s Efforts to Rehabilitate I-15 Various Grant Applications Exploring the P3 Option
Locating I-15 in Arizona
Route Characteristics and History
I-15 in Arizona 29.4 miles 12 miles within the Virgin River Gorge Between 40 and 50 Years Old ADT ~ 24,000 24% Trucks Triple Trailers Are Allowed Separated from the Rest of the State by the Grand Canyon (area population ~ 1,200) Majority of the Land is Owned by the Federal Government
I-15 in Arizona Connects San Diego, California to the Canadian Border in Sweetgrass, Montana CANAMEX Freight Route A Corridor of National Significance Freight Movement from California Ports to Central US Destinations via I-70 and I-80 Was Designated as One of the Six Corridors of the Future Sept. 2007 USDOT
Brief History of the I-15 Corridor in Arizona Arizona segment of I-15 was dedicated in 1973 Utah Loaned Fed Funds to Arizona to Accelerate the Construction One of the most expensive in the interstate system ~ $48 million in 1973 dollars How much would it cost to build it today? The Virgin River was rechanneled 12 times in the gorge Arizona Highways Magazine stated that It enhanced rather than distracted from Nature s handiwork The Virgin River, named the Rio Virgin in 1776 by Padre Silvestre Escalante during his search for a route between Santa Fe and California
Route Characteristics - Pictorial Courtesy of ADOT Bridge Inspection Crews Photographers
I-15 Virgin River Bridges
I-15 Virgin River Bridges # 1 to 7
Bridge Summary Bridge # MP # of spans (max span) Length ft Deck Area ft 2 1 9.55 5 (216) 845 54,925 2 13.19 5 (185) 740 48,470 3 13.27 12 (71) 822 53,635 4 14.3 2 (135) 270 18,711 5 NB 15.38 3 (225) 531 17,311 5 SB 15.38 3 (212) 496 16,170 6 15.58 4 (225) 649 42,380 7 22.55 3 (196) 496 32,240 283,842
History of Bridge Repair Projects* 1998: steel girder repair on # 1, 2, 5 NB, 5 SB, and 6. 1998: deck hydro-demolition and micro-silica overlay on # 3 and 7. 1998: deck joint repl. on #3 (piers 2, 3 & 10) 1999: steel girder repair on # 7. 2002: deck hydro-demolition and micro-silica overlay on # 4, 5 NB, 5 SB and 6. Also, deck joint repl. on # 4 (both abutments). 2004: approach slab repair on # 5 NB. 2007: remove the middle, install two additional girders, and deck repair on # 7. 2007: deck repair including deck sealing on # 2, 3, and 5 NB. 2007: deck joint repl. On # 3 (pier 6) * Does not include: 1. bridge repair projects prior to 1998; 2. bridge rail repair and replacement; 3. bridge repairs performed as part of pavement preservation projects; 4. minor repairs performed by District Maintenance.
I-15 Virgin River Bridges # 1 to 7
Bridge # 1
Bridge # 2
Bridge # 3
Bridge # 4
Bridge # 5 NB & SB
Bridge # 6
Bridge # 7
Examples of Deteriorations (1)
Examples of Deteriorations (3)
Examples of Deteriorations (4)
ADOT s Initiatives Increased the bridge inspection frequency Asked FHWA to conduct a review Meeting of the 3 Directors (July 2011) Invitation to UDOT and NDOT to perform their own review/inspection of the bridges Follow-up meeting of the 3 Directors including FHWA FY12 pavement preservation project which would include minor bridge repairs
Status of Bridge Condition Reviews FHWA Conducted a Review (May 2011) NDOT Conducted an Office Review (August 2011) UDOT Performed an in-depth Inspection (September 2011) ADOT in-depth Bridge Inspection (October 2011)
Why Is It Important to Rehabilitate the I-15 Virgin River Bridges?
Detour Options
Additional Efforts TIGER Grant Application (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) IBRD Application in Progress (Innovative Bridge Research and Development Program) Highways for Life (HfL) Application Interstate Maintenance Discretionary (IMD) Grant Application ADOT Submitted Expression of Interest to FHWA for P3 Opportunities (Public-Private Partnerships)
TIGER Grant ADOT Applied for a $ 27 million Grant Would Have Rehabilitated Bridge # 6 Unsuccessful Late December 2011 Announcement by USDOT 848 Applications from all 50 States ($ 14.29 billion) 46 Projects in 33 States Were Selected ($ 511 million) ADOT with the Help of FHWA AZ Division Is Requesting a Debriefing The Southwest, Safe for CA, Represented a Gaping Hole on the Map of Recipients
IBRD Application Earlier this Month, ADOT Submitted to the FHWA an IBRD Application to Rehabilitate Virgin River Bridge # 6 $ 13.1 million Is Available Nationwide
HfL Application The purpose of Highways for LIFE is to advance Longer lasting highway infrastructure using Innovations to accomplish the Fast construction of Efficient and safe highways and bridges. The three goals of HfL are to: Improve safety during and after construction Reduce congestion caused by construction Improve the quality of the highway infrastructure
IMD Application This discretionary program provides funding for Interstate highway resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction (4R) work $ 47.3 million Is Available Nationwide
Exploring the P3 Option ADOT Is Seeking Provisional Acceptance for a Pilot Toll Project Three Interstate Pilot Projects Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program Two States Have Been Approved (I-95 in VA, I-70 in MO) Last Pilot Project Has 3 Applications Purpose Is to Fund a Major Rehabilitation Project for I-15 within Arizona
ADOT Proposed Project Will: Rehabilitate 8 Bridges Preserve the 28.6 miles of Asphalt Pavement Replace Traffic Sign Panels Implement Roadway Safety Upgrades (guardrail, concrete barriers, culverts, RofW fencing, rock fall containment )
Timetable Project Scoping Is Underway Environmental Clearance Is Next (Sensitive Areas Include: Virgin River Gorge, Beaver Dam Mountain Wilderness Area, Paiute Wilderness Area) Traffic Study Starts in 2012 and Completes in 2013 Alternative Delivery Procurement - 2014 Construction Starts in 2015 and Completes in 2017
Project Costs Bridge Superstructure Replacement: $ 180 million Rehabilitation of 29 miles of I-15: $ 71 million Constr. of Toll Road Infrastructure: $ 15 million Yearly Operating Costs: $ 1 million Yearly Maintenance Costs: $ 1.5 million Total 30-Year Life Cycle: $ 341 million
Toll Revenue Toll Revenue Potential over a 30-Year Period Scenario 1 Automobile Toll: $3.00 Truck Toll: $6.00 Scenario 2 Automobile Toll: $2.00 Truck Toll: $8.00 Scenario 3 Automobile Toll: $1.00 Truck Toll: $10.00 $ 393.2 million $ 365.7 million $ 333.3 million
Usage of Toll Revenue 100 % of toll collections will be applied to: Rehabilitating, Maintaining, and Operating I-15 in Arizona
Local Commuters Modern tolling technology allows flexibility in toll collection to support policy development. For example, it may be appropriate to exempt the locals who are reliant upon the stretch of I-15 from paying a toll. If an individual who lives in Mesquite commutes for work to St. George, the burden of paying a toll each way daily may not be equitable as there is not a viable alternative toll-free route.
FHWA s Response
In Conclusion While there may be some controversy vis-à-vis the P3 option And there are few individuals and entities who publicly spoke against it ADOT does not have a preference regarding the method to finance the rehabilitation of I-15. Our only desire is to implement our mission which is to provide a safe, efficient, cost-effective transportation system
Questions?