Tonto Basin Bridge open after completion of 2-year, $21 million construction project

For decades, flooding in the Tonto Creek would leave residents stranded. Now, two years and $21 million in the making a new bridge has residents in the area hoping the crossing will be less deadly than before.

Bridge over Tonto Creek opens to delight of residents
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The two-year project to build a bridge over a deadly crossing over Tonto Creek is now open. The project cost $21 million dollars and was designed to save lives and prevent major hassle for residents in the area. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach has the story.

Tonto Creek Bridge to open years after 3 children were swept away by floodwaters

In November 2019, siblings Willa Rawlings, 6, and Colby Rawlings, 5, and their cousin Austin Rawlings, 5, died while trying to cross the creek about 75 miles northeast of Phoenix.

Parents of Arizona children killed in Tonto Basin floodwaters to plead guilty

Daniel Rawlings will plead guilty to three counts of manslaughter and seven counts of child abuse. Lacey Rawlings will plead guilty to child abuse, one count for every child in the vehicle at the time.

Parents of Arizona children swept away in Tonto Basin floodwaters plead not guilty

Daniel Rawlings was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of reckless manslaughter and seven counts of child abuse. Lacey Rawlings was indicted on seven counts of child abuse.

US grant to pay for bridge over Tonto Creek where 3 children died

Siblings Willa Rawlings, 6, and Colby Rawlings, 5, and cousin Austin Rawlings, 5, died while trying to cross the creek about 75 miles northeast of Phoenix. Willa and Colby’s parents, Daniel and Lacey Rawlings, and four other children were rescued.

Parents of children who died in Tonto Basin facing manslaughter, child abuse charges

The parents of the three kids who died after being swept away by floodwaters in Tonto Basin are facing charges of manslaughter and child abuse by Gila County officials.

Ducey seeks federal funding for bridge after Arizona kids die in creek

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday asked the federal government to provide money to build a bridge over a creek where three children died when a family member tried to drive through surging storm runoff late last year.

GCSO: Body found in Roosevelt Lake confirmed to be that of Willa Rawlings

Officials with the Gila County Sheriff's Office say a child's body that was found in the Roosevelt Lake area Friday afternoon is that of missing Willa Rawlings.

Pants of missing girl found in Arizona creek

Authorities found pants belonging to a 6-year-old girl missing since last week in a rural Arizona creek, but say they haven’t located the child yet.

Arizona governor: Building bridge where kids died a priority

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says he will work to find money in next year’s state budget to help build a bridge over a rural creek where a family was swept away last week.