ST. GEORGE — The interstate near the Virgin River Gorge’s southern end is once again clear for motorists thanks to the conclusion of the Bridge No. 1 project near Littlefield, Arizona.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the reconstruction of the Virgin River No. 1 bridge has ended. It is now “fully open to traffic.”
Work on the bridge that passes by the Arizona communities of Beaver Dam and Littlefield on Interstate 15 began in February 2021 and was the last in a series of highway bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction projects on Arizona’s stretch of I-15 through the gorge that began a decade ago.
“Projects in the area are challenging due to the steep, winding canyons of the Virgin River Gorge,” ADOT officials said in Tuesday’s announcement.
The original bridges were built in the early 1970s and have since been upgraded and replaced. Work on Bridge No. 1’s structure has included replacing the abutments, support piers and deck of the bridge, creating an improved structure designed to safely carry passenger and commercial vehicle traffic for decades to come.
Throughout the years of collective bridge reconstruction, motorists have struggled with the various delays and congestion that sometimes backed up for miles. The speed limit was reduced through the construction zones, and travel was narrowed to a single lane through the areas. Traffic would halt to a temporary standstill whenever a crash occurred in or near the construction sites.
In order to avoid the bridge work, many people passing through Arizona and Utah would use Old Dixie Highway 91 as an alternative route between St. George and Beaver Dam. Prior to the interstate’s construction, this highway served as a primary route through the region.
When the section of I-15 passing through Arizona was built, it was the most expensive rural interstate highway built per mile and was completed in 1973 after a decade of construction.
Today, Arizona’s stretch of I-15 directly connects Nevada and Utah and is a heavily traveled commercial and economic corridor linking southern California with the Rocky Mountain region.
The total cost of the Bridge No. 1 project is estimated to have run between $56 million and $60 million.
While the collective reconstruction allows for the continuing and safe use of this portion of interstate, it also saw an end to a manmade landmark called Little Jamaica.
Little Jamaica was a pool built from sandbags and filled by diverting a nearby stream that sat just above the Virgin River and next to Bridge No. 1. This little oasis also happened to be within ADOT’s right of way.
Once a popular destination for locals and out-of-state visitors, Little Jamaica fell into disrepair later on and became seen as a safety risk and “cesspool” by local law enforcement and others. State construction crews began the process of dismantling the site in 2018 and ultimately demolished it ahead of the Bridge No. 1 project.
Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. Alerts can also be obtained through the Az511 app for Apple and Android devices. ADOT also provides highway condition updates on the social platform X, @ArizonaDOT.
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