1993 Flashback: Navajo Bridge project near Marble Canyon, Arizona
30 years ago, Ames Construction crews were in the early stages of the Navajo Bridge Project near Marble Canyon, Arizona.
The top of the canyon is 470 feet—nearly 50 stories—above the Colorado River. Ames was responsible for excavating 70-foot-deep pockets into the solid rock at the top of the cliffs where the arch footings for a new bridge would be constructed.
Because the river is sacred to the people of the Navajo Nation, the project was not allowed to drop rock in the river. A wire net was rock-bolted to the face to control any loose rock while crews drilled and blasted.
In Ames’ 50th anniversary book, “Persistence Creates Opportunity,” Senior Vice President of Engineering John Tripi recalled, “It was both challenging and exciting because of the sheer verticalness of the project and digging big foundation excavations so you could build an arch bridge across a deep canyon along the Colorado River.”
Ames has built projects across the U.S. for more than six decades. We’re inspired by past accomplishments, and we embrace the challenges of the future. Learn more about our history.
