Federal officials are providing $4.25 million to help repair and rebuild the Lower Cibola Bridge in La Paz County after the structure was damaged by the Island Fire.
Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly announced the emergency funding Thursday. The money from the U.S. Department of Transportation will go to the Bureau of Reclamation for emergency and reconstruction work on the bridge, which partially collapsed into the Colorado River.
The fire ignited the bridge’s timber supports, causing two center spans to collapse. The damage cut off a primary route across the Colorado River and forced farmers, residents, federal workers and emergency responders to take lengthy detours.
Gallego said the federal funding will help restore safe passage across the river and reconnect the community.
“These federal funds will provide the tools and resources necessary to repair the Lower Cibola Bridge, easing lengthy detours and ensuring safe passage over the Colorado River,” Gallego said.
Kelly said restoring the bridge will help residents reach work, school and other essential services while also preserving an important economic route in the county.
The funding comes through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, which provides money to repair or reconstruct roads and highways damaged by natural disasters or other catastrophic events.
The program can fund immediate repairs to restore access and protect damaged infrastructure, as well as permanent repairs to return facilities to their pre-disaster condition.
