State Route 68

One of the largest transportation improvement projects in northwest Arizona, the SR-68 widening project is the first rural job of its kind in the state. Located in mountainous terrain, the $43.3 million design-build project increases traffic capacity, enabling more than 12,000 motorists a day to travel on a safer, wider highway.

The major scope of work, the majority of which was built on a 6 percent grade or more, included widening 13.7 miles of existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway from Bullhead City to Golden Valley. In addition, the work included constructing three double-span precast concrete girder bridges; six AASHTO girder wildlife bridges; 16 box culverts; and a 2,000-foot-long runaway truck ramp.

Major quantities included 1.7 million cubic yards of excavation, of which one million cubic yards were drill and shoot; more than 200,000 tons of asphalt paving; 8,500 feet of culvert piping; and relocation of 8,000 cacti/trees.

Constructed in five segments, this award winning project reached substantial completion on May 15, 2002 — four months ahead of the owner's two-year maximum time allowance.