Prince Street overpass to close for about nine months

CLOVIS — The Prince Street overpass is expected to close in about two weeks and will remain closed for about nine months so that workers can make repairs.

A New Mexico Department of Transportation news release said the state will invest $2.5 million to “upgrade some of the bridge’s critical components to ensure that it can continue to carry heavy loads.”

Work is scheduled to begin today, but NMDOT Public Information Officer Manon Arnett said the U.S. 70 overpass won’t close for about two weeks.

Traffic will be detoured to Brady Avenue and Norris and Hull streets, adding approximately 10 minutes to a normal overpass commute, the release said.

According to the release:

“This work will ensure structural integrity of the overpass. The bridge was built in 1989 and is need of the repair work to support the roadway above.

“Work includes: replacing approach slabs, sidewalks, raised median, metal pedestrian railing, chain link fence, wall barriers, new lighting, replace abutments, repair concrete, application of new protective coasting, epoxy coating of the of the concrete bridge deck, replace the bridge pavement, and other miscellaneous work.”