TUCSON, Arizona (13 News) – Oro Valley officials are preparing for some much-needed repairs to the Honeybee Wash Bridge.
This is near Honeybee Canyon Park, on Rancho Vistoso Boulevard, east of Oracle Road.
This bridge was built in the 1980s, so it is over 40 years old. This is the normal time frame for such repairs. However, those responsible stressed that structurally everything is fine. All work will be carried out on the bridge.
This is a state-funded project, meaning the city will be working with the Arizona Department of Transportation, but construction may continue into the future. The city received $685,000 for this and is contributing nearly $42,000 of its own money.
Officials are seeking planning consultants to begin the next phase. There are currently two lanes of traffic on either side of the bridge, but during construction the east side will be closed, meaning only one lane will be open in each direction.
“As you can hear behind us, it’s a very busy road,” said Jeff Wilkins, Oro Valley’s city manager. “Rancho Vistoso goes around this whole area; it’s the main thoroughfare in the northern part of our city and for the Rancho Vistoso neighborhood. If you get a chance to visit, it’s a fantastic trail to the honey bee trail.”
The design process is expected to begin in spring 2025, and hopefully construction will follow then. It is estimated that construction could begin in early 2026, but 13 News will be sure to keep following this project.
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