The construction of the Schnepf Road Bridge Project is underway. The dateline for this project can be found on the Transportation Construction Projects page.

Background on this project is as follows: DBA Construction, Inc., a private contractor, was hired to complete the construction work. The original 230 foot bridge will be replaced by a large reinforced concrete box culvert with multiple barrels and two wide travel lanes to better manage traffic flow. The new box culvert crossing will be able to accommodate the County's present and anticipated future growth.

In February 2005, the bridge sustained damage after heavy runoff from a rain storm caused erosion and exposed key support structures. Pinal County Public Works officials closed the bridge in March 2005 when engineering studies revealed evidence that the bridge could be unsafe for travel. By late 2005, a full engineering assessment determined that replacement of the bridge was the only option.

Pinal County submitted the design for approval and requested funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA approved the design work and funding request for the project from its Public Assistance Program in May 2008. FEMA approved $1,687,376 from its Public Assistance Program to assist Pinal County and the State of Arizona in the replacement of the crossing. The FEMA funds constitute 75% of the $2,249,835 in total eligible costs for the project.

The State of Arizona and Pinal County will also share in the cost of the project. Since May 2008, Pinal County finalized design plans and completed the construction bid phase. Pinal County's project engineer, Geoffrey Gaudoin, anticipates completion and the opening of the crossing to the public in December 2009.