Daily Archives: January 1, 2016

Calendars turn to 2016. Government officials unable to intercede.

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calendarWORLD — Last night at about midnight, it appears that it turned to 2016.

Official of the F.B.I. stated that they knew exactly when and where the event would happen, but were powerless to stop it.

“There was really nothing we could do,” an official of the agency told us under conditions of anonymity.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security have yet to issue a statement.

One source quotes Ahmed Mohamed as saying, “Oh, yeah. You can’t stop the clock.”

Keely Mullen, founder of the Million Student March, stated, “What? When did this—like—happen? The government should have warned us! They need to send us new calendars.”

It is currently unclear what this event means for the near future. Government officials give different versions both good and bad. “But we should concentrate on Battlefield America,” Senator John McCain said. “After all, it is an election year.”

Litter Hotline delivers reminder that trashing Arizona costs us all

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PHOENIX — Those who litter along Arizona highways can face fines up to $500. But those fortunate enough to have fellow motorists rather than law enforcement see them may wind up getting a letter warning about the harm litter causes – and a litter bag.

In partnership with Keep Arizona Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit organization that empowers citizens to care for their environment through litter prevention, recycling and beautification, the Arizona Department of Transportation maintains a Litter Hotline allowing the public to report those who trash our highways. Providing a vehicle’s license plate number and other details to 1-877-3LITTER, or through an online form on Keep Arizona Beautiful’s website at kazb.org, results in a cautionary letter being sent.

About 1,500 letters go out each year. Nothing is shared with law enforcement, and those reported have no points added to their driver licenses.

“Besides harming Arizona’s land, water and quality of life, littering along highways is a significant cost to ADOT and, in the end, to all of us,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “While those who litter deserve what they get if caught by law enforcement, a gentle reminder through the Litter Hotline can make someone think twice about tossing something out the window.”

In the Phoenix area alone, highway maintenance crews pick up enough litter each year ‒ about 1.2 million pounds in all ‒ to fill more than 111,000 garbage bags.

In addition to the Litter Hotline, ADOT combats litter through its Adopt a Highway programs. Adopt a Highway volunteers can apply for two-year permits to clean up roadside litter, or businesses can contract with maintenance providers to perform the work as part of the Adopt a Highway sponsor program.

US 60 east of Superior to temporarily close for blasting operations Jan. 5-7

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PHOENIX — Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require four full closures of US 60:

• Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (This will be a three-hour closure.)
• Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and traffic on westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235), until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control. Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barriers prior to each scheduled closure.

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative. ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel and allow extra time for your commute.

For more information on the project, please visit azdot.gov/us60oakflat.