The Critical Path

A History of the Arizona Canal Diversion Channel 1. The Hidden Shield: Phoenix’s Unseen Flood Infrastructure The Phoenix metropolitan area represents one of the more complex hydrological challenges in modern civil engineering, defined by a "dual seasonal threat" that few other urban environments must navigate. As a lifelong Arizona Resident, I view the Valley not just as a sun-drenched oasis, but as a landscape of paradox: the very arid warmth that fuels our growth also bakes

651 Scraper and D8L + Cut Boss "I don't see all this excess dirt you keep talking about," the District Engineer growled as he stood in front of my desk. He was referring to the claim that I had filed against the Highway Department concerning the balance of earthwork on the project. The history behind the claim went back to before this project had even been awarded to Sundt Corp. The project that connected to the south end of my project was performed by another contractor

New SR 77 Bridge over Canada Del Oro Wash 1985 The beautiful expanse of desert just north of Tucson called Oro Valley joined the US in 1853 as part of the Gasden Purchase. Canada del Oro (Canyon of Gold) was the name given to the area by early prospectors due to a legendary lost spanish mine, however very little gold was ever found. Homesteading started in the early 1900 and by the 1930's wealthy families started buying up the land to create massive winter estates and guest

Bridge girder hung up on highway frontage road. Tucson Arizona 1985

Due to the water flowing down the creek and the restrictions placed by the Forest Service, setting the +/- 100 ft long bridge girders on the NB Deer Creek bridge called for a specialty operation that included approximately 6 separate synchronized crane maneuvers to safely move the 50+ ton girders from the truck to the bridge abutments. One crane is on top of the roadway and the other is in the bottom of the creek. Before reading further, imagine trying to carry a bucket of w

I plan to post a series of historical stories about the highway that was once a ribbon of death in the State of Arizona. History: Prior to 1950 to travel from Phoenix to Payson, you had to drive through Apache Junction, take the Bush Highway along the lower Salt River to Saguaro Lake and then take highway 87 to Payson. In the early 1950's the County negotiated a deal to build a section of highway across tribal land to make a direct route from Mesa to the Saguaro lake turnof

How an agency oversight roped us in! Arizona SR87 - Rye section.. This 5 mile project was in open range with just barbed wire keeping the cows off the road. Clearing for the new right of way fencing required making temporary gates in the existing fence and yes a few times the clever range cows were able to sneak in and munch on the shoulder grass. But we quickly herded them back to their side, no harm. The Rancher's house was on the West side of the road on the banks of D

In 2003 ADOT finally decided to upgrade US 93 over the infamous Burro Creek.

Promotion of Arizona Contractor and Community Magazine and it's editorial staff. Publisher Billy Horner