Category Archives: Phoenix

ADOT MVD offers online vehicle license tax report for 2014

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PHOENIX – As Arizonans start working on their tax returns, many want to know the amount of vehicle license tax they paid last year.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offers a free online service, Vehicle Fee Recap, on ServiceArizona.com to help vehicle owners easily obtain their vehicle license tax paid in 2014 as well as any specialty license plate donations.

From the ServiceArizona home page, a customer can select the Vehicle Fee Recap link and follow the simple instructions to receive a free, printable report. The Vehicle Fee Recap report will only contain information for the previous calendar year.

“Vehicle Fee Recap has proven to be one of ServiceArizona’s most popular features during tax season,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Stacey Stanton. “This service is yet another way MVD works to save valuable time for our customers.”

Owners of Arizona-registered vehicles who wish to use the data provided in the Vehicle Fee Recap report for tax returns should seek guidance from the Internal Revenue Service, the Arizona Department of Revenue or other tax professionals.

The Vehicle Fee Recap feature of ServiceArizona is also accessible by mobile devices.

Transportation projects in 2015 to drive economic development in Arizona

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PHOENIX — The new year is shaping up to be a big year for the Arizona Department of Transportation, as the agency will be working on several new and existing projects that will aid economic development and support the efficient movement of goods and services across the state.

All of the projects will be funded with federal and state highway funds, which are collected through gas and vehicle license taxes. In the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, voters have approved supplemental tax revenue that enables more transportation projects to move forward in their respective regions.

Phoenix-Area Projects for 2015

Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway
ADOT expects to release the Record of Decision for the long-proposed South Mountain Freeway this spring and work toward selecting a contractor for the proposed $1.9 billion project. The 22-mile-long freeway would run east and west along Pecos Road and then turn north between 55th and 63rd avenues, connecting with I-10 on each end. The South Mountain Freeway is also part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400.

Loop 101 and Loop 202 Widening Projects in East Valley
Much of the focus on freeway improvements in the metro Phoenix area will remain on projects that broke ground in 2014 and are due for completion in 2016. The $73 million Loop 101 widening project between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in the Scottsdale area is adding an additional lane in each direction along 11 miles of the Pima Freeway, as well as merge lanes between most major interchanges. The $109 million project to widen the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway between Loop 101 in Tempe and Broadway Road in east Mesa also will advance, with new general purpose lanes being added between Loop 101 and Gilbert Road, along with HOV lanes between Gilbert Road and Broadway Road.

Interstate 10/Loop 303 Interchange
Among the new freeway projects scheduled to start this year is the “south half” of the Interstate 10/Loop 303 Interchange, which will complete all ramp connections between the two freeways in Goodyear. Work is expected to start this fall. The north half of the interchange opened last August and, combined with a widened Loop 303 north of I-10, has been embraced by West Valley communities as much-needed infrastructure to help drive economic development in the region.

Additional Loop 303 Improvements in Northwest Valley
Farther north along Loop 303, ADOT will launch a project to add an interchange at El Mirage Road by this spring. The new interchange will be built at the same time that crews are improving Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway between Grand Avenue (US 60) and Happy Valley Parkway in Peoria. A third project already underway is creating improved connections at the Loop 303/Grand Avenue interchange. All three projects are scheduled for completion in 2016.

US 60 Improvements in Surprise
Also in Surprise, a project to build a Bell Road bridge over Grand Avenue (US 60) and new ramps connecting the two roadways is scheduled to start late in the year, after a design-build contracting team is selected by ADOT.

Tucson-Area Projects for 2015

Interstate 19 Traffic Interchange Reconstruction (Ajo Way)
In 2015, ADOT will begin work to replace the existing Interstate 19 traffic interchange at State Route 86, also known as Ajo Way, with a single-point urban interchange. The modern interchange will feature a single set of traffic signals, rather than signals at multiple locations. The $86 million project is expected to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for motorists traveling through Tucson’s southwest side. Construction is expected to continue through 2017 and will also include widening I-19 from Ajo Way to Irvington Road and widening SR 86 to three lanes in each direction between 16th Avenue and Holiday Isle.

State Route 77 Widening (Tangerine Road to Pinal County Line)
After starting work in summer 2014, ADOT will continue efforts to upgrade a six-mile section of SR 77 (Oracle Road) between Tangerine Road and the Pinal county line from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. Along with widening the roadway, planned improvements include raised medians, traffic signal and drainage improvements, wildlife crossings, sound walls and multiuse paths. The $33.9 million project is slated to take two years to complete.

State Route 86 Widening (Valencia to Kinney Roads)
In 2015, ADOT is expected to begin construction on expanding SR 86 (Ajo Highway) in each direction from Valencia to Kinney roads in Pima County, 10 miles west of downtown Tucson. This seven-mile-long, $55 million project in Pima County will enhance safety and improve traffic flow on the highway, which serves as a regional transportation route between Tucson and south-central Arizona. SR 86 provides access to the Tohono O’odham Nation and is widely used to reach the popular tourist destination in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point.

Statewide Projects for 2015

Northern Arizona

US 93 Widening (State Route 71 to State Route 89 and Antelope Wash sections)
ADOT will continue long-standing efforts to transform the heavily traveled corridor between Phoenix and Las Vegas into a modern four-lane divided highway throughout the entire 200-mile stretch with two US 93 widening projects this year. After beginning last year, ADOT will complete upgrading a three-mile segment of US 93 (Antelope Wash), located approximately 20 miles north of Wikieup (mileposts 101-104) this summer. A second US 93 widening project (State Route 71 to State Route 89), just north of Wickenburg (mileposts 185-190), is expected to break ground this spring.

State Route 89A Spot Widening (Vista Overlook to JW Powell)
This $22.5 million project is slated to improve safety and traffic flow by widening the roadway and constructing passing lanes entering and exiting Oak Creek Canyon through an eight-mile stretch from the popular tourist destination Vista Overlook to the JW Powell interchange, three miles south of Flagstaff. Design of the project is nearly complete and ADOT hopes to start construction this year.

Interstate 40 Pavement Improvements (various projects)
ADOT has several major resurfacing projects in the works along the nearly 360-mile-long I-40, which is one of Arizona’s Key Commerce Corridors, as it stretches from California to the New Mexico state line, Three major pavement preservation projects are set to take place in 2015. This spring will complete final paving on the Rattlesnake Wash to US 93 (mileposts 57-72) section east of Kingman after the project began last summer. Later this year, ADOT will start two new resurfacing projects east of Flagstaff, including the Navajo county line to Minnetoka (milepost 250-259) and Walnut Canyon to Twin Arrows (milepost 214-218) segments.

US 89 Landslide Repairs (near Bitter Springs)
ADOT is scheduled to reopen US 89 south of Page after the highway was closed on Feb. 20, 2013 after a landslide caused serious damage to the highway near the Echo Cliffs. Major work on the repairs began on Aug. 11, 2014 as crews began excavating nearly one million cubic yards of rock near the highway to build a buttress, which will stabilize and reinforce the mountain slope that carries the roadway. The $25 million repair project remains on target to reopen to traffic this spring, in advance of this summer’s tourism season in Page and Lake Powell.

Southern Arizona

US 60 Widening (Silver King/Superior Streets)
This spring, ADOT is expected to start a project to convert the last remaining two-lane roadway segment on US 60 between Phoenix and Superior into a modern, four-lane divided highway. The $45 million project (mileposts 222-227), which will also include improving the urban section of highway in Superior, is expected to take two years to complete.

US 95 Fortuna Wash Bridge
This $13.5 million project is part of a larger corridor improvement project for US 95, the north and south corridor between Yuma and Quartzsite. US 95 is also the main route to the Yuma Proving Ground, which is one of the largest employers in Yuma County and one of the Army’s busiest training sites in the U.S. This project includes a bridge over Fortuna Wash, which often floods during heavy rains. This project is scheduled to begin in the spring.

US 95 San Luis Street Improvements
This $11 million project includes reconfiguring San Luis Port of Entry traffic off US 95 in San Luis to facilitate business along Main Street. The project, which began in October 2014, will help the circulation of traffic, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses near the U.S.-Mexico international border. Work will be completed this year.

Major Studies

Interstate 11
ADOT’s Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor Study continues to move forward. This year, work will begin on an Environmental Impact Statement which will allow ADOT to begin an environmental study in the area between Nogales and Wickenburg, part of the proposed Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor. The $15 million Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is expected to take three years to complete, once work gets underway later this year. Interstate 11, which will connect Arizona to the entire Intermountain West, is one of our state’s Key Commerce Corridors. I-11 is being planned as a multimodal freight corridor and a manufacturing belt that will drive trade, commerce, job growth and economic development while facilitating strong connections to other major markets.

Passenger Rail
The next major step for ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study: Tucson to Phoenix is to publish the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public review. Three public hearings will be held later this year in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties to allow community members to comment on the recommendations of the study. Following the public review process, the final recommendations and environmental considerations will be issued on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for federal approval. ADOT is currently evaluating three final rail alternatives. The Passenger Rail Corridor Study is expected to be completed later this year. ADOT’s mission is to evaluate and implement modes of transportation to provide a well-balanced, flexible transportation system that moves people and commerce throughout Arizona.

ADOT launches Web-based tool for commercial carriers, drivers

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PHOENIX – With more than 70 permit options for commercial drivers, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s new online tool allows for quick, accurate information in one stop.

The ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division implemented this new system, Electronic Permit and Routing Online – known as ePRO.

“The efficient and safe movement of freight is a keystone to improve Arizona’s economic foundation,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “To stay competitive, Arizona must provide our business partners with solid information about safe, reliable routes to support travel decisions. Systems like ePRO support that mission.”

The online system creates a one-stop, self-service tool to obtain the necessary permits and also receive up-to-date validation of routing information and roadway travel restrictions. Each year, ADOT issues more than 250,000 permits for 3,000 commercial carriers operating in Arizona.

ADOT began working with the commercial vehicle carriers three years ago to develop an online permit system that meets the needs of the industry.

“The safe and efficient movement of freight is crucial to Arizona’s economic success. The ePRO permitting system is an important step in ensuring Arizona does not become an unnecessary bottleneck in delivering goods and products,” said Tony Bradley, president and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association.

Previously, permits were issued at Arizona ports of entry and at central permitting offices. This process did not allow for the customer to receive timely routing or roadway travel restrictions, which had to be provided by an ADOT employee to complete the permit process.

“The new ePRO system provides better service, reduces costs and provides critical support to the professional driving community,” Halikowski said.

The new ePRO system expedites the permit issuance process through self-service convenience, allowing 24/7 access to obtain most permits, along with those for typical oversize and overweight loads.

Carriers and drivers desiring to use ePRO will be required to obtain a user sign-in and password. The online system is a secure environment using the latest encryption technology and will accept major credit cards for the purchase of permits.

The ePRO system, along with finding locations where permits can be obtained, can be found on the ADOT Website at www.azdot.gov/permits.

ADEQ Officials Announce Conditional State Water Quality Certification Issued to Rosemont Copper for Proposed Mine

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ADEQ-2PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that a conditional state water quality certification has been issued to Rosemont Copper Company for activities proposed under a Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit for the Rosemont Copper Project southeast of Tucson.

The proposed activities under the 404 permit include the discharge of earthen fill material into Barrel Canyon and tributaries including Wasp, McCleary and Trail canyons and other unnamed washes, during construction and operation of the proposed mine. The Certification and other supporting materials can be found at: http://azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/index.html

Rosemont applied to ADEQ for the certification in January 2012 but the agency’s review was suspended until the U.S. Forest Service completed its environmental impact statement (EIS) work on the project in December 2013. ADEQ’s conditional certification is based on fill activities described in the Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice issued in December 2011 with some minor changes in the final EIS. Most of the discharges will result from the development of the mine pit and construction of the waste rock storage areas, dry stack tailings facility and mining facilities.

ADEQ issued a draft certification on Feb. 21, 2014 and accepted comments through April 7, 2014. In response to public comment, ADEQ required Rosemont to prepare a Surface Water Mitigation Plan detailing all required monitoring, develop a surface water model to predict changes in surface water runoff and sediment because of the project, and to identify measures that Rosemont will implement should these potential changes have the possibility to impact downstream water quality.

ADEQ finds, subject to conditions in the certification, including implementation of the Surface Water Mitigation Plan, the activities proposed will not violate applicable surface water quality standards in the receiving waterbodies including McCleary, Wasp, Trail, Barrel and Davidson canyons and Cienega Creek. Should the Army Corps issue the CWA 404 Permit for the project, the state certification becomes a condition of the 404 Permit and is enforceable by the Corps.

“We share the public’s concern about impacts to water resources and have worked diligently to insure that this certification meets all environmental protection requirements,” said ADEQ Director Henry Darwin. “The Surface Water Mitigation Plan will provide ADEQ and the Forest Service with ongoing data and provides for mitigation measures, should they be needed, to ensure protection of Davidson Canyon and Cienega Creek, both Outstanding Arizona Waters.”

For the mining operation to begin, Rosemont still needs the Forest Service to issue a final record of decision and approve the mining plan of operation in addition to the Army Corps 404 permit. ADEQ issued an individual Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) to Rosemont in April 2012. But if the record of decision changes the project design, an amendment to the APP may be required.

State Route 30 study meeting set for Jan. 21 at Fowler Elementary School in West Phoenix

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adot-logo3PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a public meeting at Fowler Elementary School in West Phoenix on Wednesday evening, Jan. 21, to provide community members with information and receive comments about the planned State Route 30 transportation corridor.

Four potential alignments for State Route 30, along with a “no-build option,” are being studied by ADOT on behalf of the Maricopa Association of Governments, which serves as the Phoenix area’s freeway planning agency.

Any east-west SR 30 project would generally extend from 59th Avenue on the east to Perryville Road on the west, within boundaries of Lower Buckeye Road on the north and the Gila and Salt rivers on the south. Regional transportation planners have looked at SR 30 as a future way to provide additional freeway traffic capacity south of I-10 in the West Valley.

Under MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan for the metro Phoenix area, SR 30 is currently an unfunded long-range project anticipated for construction after 2026, if and when funding is available.

The SR 30 public meeting is scheduled as follows:

When: Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Fowler Elementary School, 6707 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix 85043
Who: Representatives from ADOT’s SR 30 Study Team will be available to answer questions. A brief presentation about the study also will be conducted at 6:15 p.m.

ADOT’s study is designed to determine a recommended alignment alternative for the potential SR 30 corridor, or to recommend a no-build option. The study was initiated in 2005 with agency and public meetings. Since that time, ADOT has researched engineering challenges and environmental issues and collected public and stakeholder input while developing the four potential SR 30 alignments.

After the Jan. 21 meeting, comments for the SR 30 study also can be submitted through Feb. 20. Comments can be sent online at azdot.gov/SR30 or by email at SR30@azdot.gov. Comments also can be sent by phone at 1.855.712.8530 or mailed to the SR 30 study team, c/o ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson Street, #126F, Phoenix 85007.

Information about the study is available at azdot.gov/SR30.

 

Approved driving schools to issue certificates to skip license exams at MVD offices

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adot-logo-03aPHOENIX – Students who undergo training at state-approved driving schools will now be able to receive training completion certificates that may waive written and road tests at Motor Vehicle Division offices.

However, there are requirements that driving-school students must meet, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

In order to qualify, students must be Arizona residents and attend classes at an ADOT-contracted driving school. A minimum of 30 hours of classroom training is required to waive the written exam and at least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training is required to skip the road exam.

“Our top priority is safety,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Stacey Stanton. “Through this program, we’re partnering with the private sector to encourage new drivers to get as much professional instruction as necessary until they can safely drive on their own. We hope more drivers will utilize these training opportunities.”

While most students who present training completion certificates at Motor Vehicle Division offices will get their instructional permit or driver license at that time, some certificate holders will be randomly selected to take the written or road exam at the Motor Vehicle Division office.

This random testing will be used to gauge the quality of instruction being given at the driving schools. Certificate holders should come to the Motor Vehicle Division office prepared to take the written or road exam in case they are selected.

A list of approved driver training schools is available at azdot.gov/drivingschools. There are more than 50 ADOT-approved schools across the state.

This initiative is one way, in addition to Authorized Third Party offices that provide a variety of motor-vehicle services, that ADOT is working to decentralize services, making them more accessible to community members around the state by engaging the private sector.

Enhancing driver training, and providing opportunities for ADOT-approved driving schools to issue certificates of completion to potentially bypass Motor Vehicle Division office testing, is an action step in ADOT’s new Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

PUBLIC NOTICE: ADEQ Water Quality Division

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Dear Stakeholder,

A Notice of Public Information regarding Arizona’s draft 2012/14 303(d) List of Impaired Waters was published in the Arizona Administrative Register (A.A.R.) today, January 9, 2015. The A.A.R. notice contains a revised 303(d) List and responses to comments received during a public comment period which ended June 16, 2014. The notice can be viewed at http://www.azsos.gov/aar/2015/2/24_public_information.pdf

The draft 305(b) report that was used as the basis for developing the 303(d) List is available at http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/assess2012_2014.html

ADEQ appreciates your interest and participation in improving Arizona’s surface and groundwater quality.

The 12 Days of Williams: July 2014

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independence day02

let-freedom-ringSheriff Julian Whittington of Bossier Parish, Louisiana vowed that the ACLU would not stop the second annual “In God We Trust” rally. One editorial noted that it “…followed the best of our traditions.” He took the line from the Supreme Court decision of Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 in which they stated:

We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being. We guarantee the freedom to worship as one chooses. We make room for as wide a variety of beliefs and creeds as the spiritual needs of man deem necessary. We sponsor an attitude on the part of government that shows no partiality to any one group and that lets each flourish according to the zeal of its adherents and the appeal of its dogma. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. For it then respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs.

James_MadisonIn preparation for the Independence Day holiday, we presented a good read from the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison. His paper, known as Property or On Property, is one of his unpublished papers reflecting his thoughts on what property is. Here is another thought by our fourth President. You might be interested in some thoughts on the Tenth Amendment. Here is a quote from Thomas Jefferson.

A newspaper owned by Benjamin Franklin which became available at an auction contained a simple report of a significant event in American history. It confirms that Independence was actually declared on July 2.

In the midst of celebrating our Independence, the administration allegedly celebrated by suing an American company for requiring their workers to speak English. In Mississippi a disgruntled former employee entered Keith’s Superstore and stabbed the manager eight times. A concealed carry permit holder chased the criminal down and held him for police. The manager then posted no guns signs.

Arizona was accused in court of denying drivers licenses to immigrants. This, of course, is a lie. Arizona denied licenses to illegal aliens. Recently the courts ordered Arizona to start issuing licenses to illegal aliens. Arizona was accused of batching an execution because Joseph Rudolph Wood III snored before he died. Unlike his victims who died in pain.

KOREAJuly 27 is a day to honor Korean War veterans in Arizona.

After the devastating Slide Rock fire, State Route 89A and Oak Creek Canyon businesses started opening.

The forest near Williams suffered some lightning caused fires. 32-year old Rocky Deibler of Williams lost his life in a one vehicle accident near Williams. An inmate committed suicide at the Coconino County Detention Facility.

Bearizona held its annual Backwoods BBQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE: ADEQ hearing

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ADEQ logo resizedA public hearing on the supplemental notice of proposed expedited rulemaking for the NSPS/NESHAPS/Acid Rain Incorporation by Reference Rulemaking (through June 28, 2013) will be held on January 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., conference room 145, at 1110 W. Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Notice of the hearing was published in the Arizona Administrative Register and the Arizona Republic on December 5, 2014, and on the Department’s public notice calendar on December 8, 2014 (http://www.azdeq.gov/cgi-bin/vertical.pl).

Copies of the proposed rulemaking and supplemental proposed rulemaking can be found at: http://www.azdeq.gov/function/laws/draft.html

ADOT recommends drivers be prepared for winter driving conditions

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adot-logo-03a

A major winter storm is forecast to push through Arizona and the Arizona Department of Transportation wants drivers traveling in the high country to be prepared.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the mountains and high deserts throughout northern and eastern Arizona. Snow levels may be as low as 2,000 feet. Rain is expected in the lower elevations.

ADOT crews have been preparing for the storm and will be working 24/7 to keep roads clear. Maintenance crews are checking the snowplows and making sure they are stocked with de-icing products. Additional snowplow drivers have been sent to areas expecting significant snowfall, like Flagstaff and Williams.

Drivers should plan ahead and be very cautious if planning to travel to the high country when the storm arrives. ADOT recommends drivers wait until conditions improve before traveling.

More safety tips for drivers:

  • Slow down, be patient and drive safely. Plan for extra travel time. Use extra caution around snowplows.
  • Be alert: ice forms on bridges first and is hard to see.
  • When driving behind a snowplow, stay back at least four car lengths. If you think you’re traveling too close to a plow, you probably are. Be safe and stay back!
  • Never pass a snowplow that’s in the process of clearing snow and ice off the road.
  • Maintain at least a three-quarter-full tank of gas.
  • Notify someone of your travel route, destination and projected arrival time.
  • Carry an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle that includes blankets, extra clothes, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a shovel, sand for traction, a fully charged cell phone, and hazard warning lights or reflectors.
  • Brake slowly to avoid any panic braking or jerking the steering wheel.
  • Increase the distance between you and the traffic ahead.
  • Carry plenty of food and water, and all necessary medications.
  • Carry tire chains and snow cables, or use snow tires.
  • Wear warm clothes to protect you during extended time periods in cold temperatures.

Additional information can be found on ADOT’s “Know Snow” website at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.