Tucson’s 22nd Street Bridge to close for major reconstruction | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The City of Tucson is set to transform the 22nd Street Bridge, aiming to enhance transportation and infrastructure while eliminating existing bottlenecks.

Starting March 3, 22nd Street will be closed between Tucson Boulevard and Cherrybell Stravenue, affecting access to northbound Aviation Parkway. Eastbound turns from Aviation Parkway onto 22nd Street will be prohibited, and the Aviation Bikeway will be closed in both directions near the bridge. Detour routes for motorists and cyclists are available on attached maps.

Crews will begin by demolishing non-structural roadways and conducting underground work on the bridge’s east end, alongside site-clearing activities. This week, they are removing the median at 22nd Street and Cherry Avenue to establish temporary traffic flow on Cherry Avenue and Cherrybell Stravenue.

The project will widen the bridge from four lanes to six, aligning with lane configurations on either end and increasing operational capacity. The structurally deficient bridge will be replaced, eliminating truck detours and facilitating direct travel routes for freight and transit.

Pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improved roadway lighting and drainage enhancements are also part of the project. The City of Tucson received $25 million from the RAISE program to aid in construction, contributing to the estimated $170 million total project cost, funded by multiple entities including the Federal Highway Administration and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).

According to the City of Tucson, the RTA has invested over $1.4 billion in transportation projects, funded by a voter-approved half-cent tax within Pima County. The 22nd Street Bridge Revitalization Project is part of the RTA plan and managed by the City of Tucson.

More information is available at RTAmobility.com.