Globe Miami Times Connecting you to the Pulse of Globe Miami
For generations, US 60 has served as the primary artery connecting the communities of Globe, Superior, and Miami with the greater Phoenix area. Winding through rugged terrain and dramatic canyon vistas, this stretch of highway is not just scenic—it’s essential. But since early 2024, drivers have found themselves rerouted, detoured, and delayed as a major infrastructure project reshapes two of the highway’s most iconic bridges.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) broke ground in January 2024 on a $44.7 million effort to replace the Queen Creek Bridge (built in 1949) and the Waterfall Canyon Bridge (built in 1929). Though both bridges were still considered structurally safe, they no longer met modern design standards, and decades of use had taken a toll.
The Queen Creek Bridge is especially notable for its dramatic perch over a deep canyon just east of Superior. It will be replaced by a 763-foot-long structure, with one lane in each direction and 4-foot shoulders. To accommodate it, the highway is being realigned 65 feet to the east.
The Waterfall Canyon Bridge, a 107-foot span, is being rebuilt in phases to maintain some traffic access.
As with many ADOT projects, the work is funded through a mix of sources: the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF)—supported by fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees—and the Federal Aid Highway Program, which contributes to interstate highway improvements nationwide. ADOT project designations confirm federal funding is in play, reflecting the scope and significance of this regional corridor.
The work is necessary—but it’s also disruptive.
“Motorists should plan for as many as three closures a week,” said Garin Groff, Public Information Officer at ADOT.
To accommodate blasting and construction, US 60 is fully closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between Superior and Miami. During these closures, drivers must detour via State Routes 77 and 177 through Winkelman, adding at least an hour and 20 minutes to their journey.
Groff added, “ADOT is providing a reliable schedule for those who travel between Superior and Globe areas. We encourage motorists to visit the project page, where they can sign up for traffic alerts and other project updates.”
For delivery drivers, the closures are more than an inconvenience—they’re a logistical challenge that affects small businesses, supply chains, and customer satisfaction. A driver for a regional delivery company shared how the closures have reshaped his routes.
“We have to time our departures precisely—if you miss the window, you’re stuck in traffic or you push deliveries into the next day,” he said. “We’ve also added another route and try to split deliveries between Miami and Superior so neither is delayed.”
The extra mileage, detours through hot, mountainous terrain, and unpredictability of delivery volumes are straining both drivers and vehicles.
“There’s more wear and tear on the trucks, fuel use increases—especially going uphill on the 77—and there’s more time away from base,” the driver notes. “If you’re not efficient, you’re not profitable. Some freight companies are restricting volume and reorganizing their routes to go to other locations to make it more efficient, but there really is no efficient way to deal with this.”
The driver, who has been delivering to the Globe area for more than 7 years, says that he tries to prioritize perishable goods and medical equipment when possible, but that isn’t always feasible.
“We’re doing our best—some businesses are even closing early, and we end up having to bring deliveries back,” he says. “But people here are understanding. Globe residents look out for each other. They spread the word on closures, accidents, and schedules. It helps more than they know.”
In Globe’s downtown core, Tracy Quick, owner of The Huddle Bar, says the community’s resilience is on full display.
“Everyone’s just kind of resigned to it,” she says. “We survived the last bridge project—we’ll survive this one too.”
While her bar hasn’t seen a major dip in foot traffic—being more of a local hangout—Quick acknowledges the closures have affected tourist behavior and personal travel.
“I go to the Valley twice a month for supply runs,” she says. “You absolutely have to plan around the closures.”
She recalls one particularly memorable visit from a group of Canadian travelers. Unaware of the closures, they ended up taking the long detour through Winkelman, eventually finding their way to The Huddle while they waited for the highway to reopen.
“They had a designated driver,” she laughs. “The other four had a blast while they waited. It was one of those funny, unexpected things that shows people can just go with the flow.”
Like others in town, she’s optimistic about the long-term benefits.
“It’s a problem, sure—but in the long run, it will be way better for us,” she notes. “Traffic will be alleviated, and travel will be easier once it’s done.”
To help soften the economic blow, a unique partnership between local governments, Resolution Copper, and Arizona Highways TV has brought attention—and foot traffic—to small businesses across the Copper Triangle. Since 2020, the project has produced five full episodes featuring Globe, Superior, and Miami, with two more slated for Fall 2025.
“We’ve supported over 30 businesses through this partnership,” says Bryan Seppala of AZED Pro. “Even with the closures, we’ve kept the spotlight on these communities.”
The strategy appears to be working. Nancy from Bella’s Café in Superior reported a noticeable increase in new visitors after the café was featured on the show.
“It really put us on the map,” she said. “We saw a wonderful surge in foot traffic, and many of them hadn’t discovered us before.”
While the official start of construction was in January 2024, the planning stretches back years—through public consultations, environmental reviews, and funding approvals. The project is expected to continue into late 2026, with additional full closures anticipated toward the end as the realignment of the highway with the new Queen Creek Bridge is finalized.
The construction has disrupted routines, delayed packages, altered delivery logistics, and changed how people plan everything from supply runs to doctor’s appointments. But what remains constant is the spirit of the community—its adaptability, patience, and shared understanding that this is all part of something bigger.
To learn more about detour times, community resources, and the latest on the Queen Creek and Waterfall Canyon Bridge Project, visit azdot.gov.
Carissa Pool is an Arizona native who grew up in Glendale and now lives in Peoria. Carissa earned her bachelor of arts degree from Arizona State University West and in her 15-plus year career in marketing and public relations has worked with a range of clients across various industries, from construction to non-profits. While she takes great pride in her professional achievements, her greatest joys come from writing and cherishing her role as a mother to her two young daughters.
