Road repairs underway after Gila River damage

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - From rushing river rapids to reduced water levels, the Gila River road crossings are getting revamped.

This major project from the Yuma County Public Works Department is underway in the Mohawk Valley after rising waters in the Gila River subsided. 

The Gila River destroyed several roads in Yuma County.

Now, the Yuma County Public Works Department is hitting the pavement.

Billy Fiser, who is the Yuma County Public Works Highway Maintenance Supervisor said, “We started out on 36E and we’re just doing maintenance to where we have to replace a full pipe that got torn up and the road that got torn up with the river going across the road.” 

According to Fiser, the road crossings were damaged.

"We have a total of 14, this here at 36E is the only one that is actually asphalt everywhere is just a dirt road," said Fiser.

It will take heavy machines and hundreds of hours to get the job done.

"We basically have two separate crews, one that’s doing the road maintenance itself and another crew that is our structure department that is actually replacing the pipe underneath the road," explained Fiser.

The damaged roads caused detours, affecting those who often travel in the area; adding more time to their commute.

Sharon Rolle who's owned a beauty salon in the area for more than 30 years is relieved the repairs are being done.


Rolle said, “It inconveniences me because my house is on the other side of the river so I had to go around to the crossing that is open still and go down so that’s kind of inconvenience.” 

This project will take roughly two to three months to complete