FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 29, 2004
Contact: Doug Hecox, 202-366-0660
FHWA 20-04a

U.S. DOT Grant to Fund New I-40 Bridge in Winslow, Arizona

A new $400,000 Federal Highway Administration grant will go toward the cost of high performance concrete and other new technologies in replacing part of the westbound bridge over I-40 near Winslow, AZ, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

The project will replace the bridge deck over I-40 at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad west of Winslow.

"Because we are using the latest technologies, the overpass will be able to stand up to weather and time, providing a long-lasting bridge and better value for tax payers," said Secretary Mineta.

The project, estimated to cost nearly $1.5 million, is expected to be completed this year. Once completed, the bridge deck will be better suited for the heavy traffic using the bridge and the extreme temperatures of the Colorado plateau, which top the 100-degree mark in the summer and drop to subfreezing temperatures in the winter.

The bridge, built in 1968, currently serves more than 17,000 vehicles daily, 39 percent of which are trucks. High-performance concrete and other advanced materials will improve the deck's resistance to corrosion in severe weather.

"Projects like replacing this bridge deck represent President Bush's commitment to the well-being of businesses and families who rely on a safe and dependable national transportation system," said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters.

Since 1991, the FHWA has provided funds to states seeking to improve the safety, longevity or utility of key bridges with innovative materials or designs.

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FHWA Press Room