Schnepf Bridge

We receive a lot of calls, emails, and inquiries through our Web site concerning Schnepf Bridge and its repair or replacement. The County knows how desperately this bridge is needed for traffic flow. The intent of this note is to give some history and the plan to help with traffic flow in that area.

Background - Schnepf Bridge over the Queen Creek was built in 1967. During the heavy rains in February 2005 Queen Creek began flowing. From February 12th to the 14th 2005, there was severe erosion in the area of the bridge. This erosion scoured around the base of the bridge which resulted in the bridge being permanently closed to traffic.

We sought support through the State Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agencies for replacement funds. They provided funds for the County to initiate engineering studies as to the cause of the failure and to evaluate whether it was economically feasible to replace or repair the existing bridge. Those studies were completed in September 2005, recommending replacement of the structure. The County submitted the studies to FEMA for their approval. In November we received questions based on FEMA review, and responded to them in December 05. We are still awaiting final approval, but that approval is also awaiting a remedy to what caused the failure in the first place.

An investigation into the cause of the failure, and implementation of recommended remedy is proceeding. On January 11, 2006 the Pinal County Flood Control District was given authority by its Board of Directors to hire a law firm that specializes in this area to assist in this case, determine causes and negotiate a fix. It is our hope that we will get a rapid resolution to the issue, so the bridge replacement can proceed.

In the meantime, we also requested that emergency management funds be used to install a crossing at the Kenworthy alignment. The project to repair the erosion in that area - essentially create a dip crossing of the creek (the quality of a construction detour) that would allow some traffic relief in the area. The State approved our request. We have completed the crossing and the road has been opened to vehicular traffic.

We do know that the loss of this bridge has been a significant impact to Pinal County drivers - many County employees suffer through this as part of their daily commute. We are happy to report the alleviation of the problem.

Thanks,
Greg Stanley, Public Works Director