The project to replace the bridge over the West Fork of the Gila River is scheduled to start Monday Sept 15th. The project is being overseen by the Federal Highways Administration in cooperation with New Mexico DOT. The project is projected to end early in Spring of 2015, but could run into the summer depending on weather delays. The project will inv0lve building a new bridge just downstream from the current one, dem0lishing the old bridge and re-routing traffic onto the new one. The project is necessary due to the age of the current bridge and on-going costs associated with making periodic repairs to the old bridge abutments due to floods and stream bed shifts.

While the bridge is not within Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, it does provide the only road access to the final mile of NM HWY 15 and thus the Cliff Dwellings. Also beyond the bridge are the USFS Upper and Lower Scorpion campgrounds, and the trailheads at TJs corral and west fork parking lot.

For the majority of the project the only effect will be occasional short delays at the bridge and increased truck traffic. Later in the project more significant delays (1-2 hours) and possible occasional closures will be necessary. It is anticipated that heavy equipment will be convoyed to the site on Friday September 19th-expect delays on NM Hwy 35 and NM Hwy 15. Please plan your trips accordingly. Additional information will be released as we get it. Please check our website at www.nps.gov/gicl for up to date news on delays or closures.

Entrance to the Gila Cliff Dwellings is permitted from 9 am until 4 pm MT. Visitors entering by 4 pm have until 5 pm to complete their visit. Please keep these potential construction delays in mind as you plan your trip. For more information, please contact the Gila Visitor Center at (575) 536-9461 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/gicl.