Category Archives: State Government

ADOT completes new surface of reconstructed northbound Interstate 15 bridge

Posted on by
i17-virgin-ADOT

ADOT Photo

PHOENIX — At approximately 8:30 a.m. today, the Arizona Department of Transportation completed overnight work to pour a concrete deck on the newly reconstructed northbound Interstate 15 Virgin River Gorge Bridge No. 6 in the far northwestern corner of Arizona.

ADOT is urging motorists traveling through the Virgin River Gorge on I-15 to allow for extra travel time due to a reduced 25-mph speed limit that will remain in place for a 48-hour period as part of an ongoing bridge reconstruction project.

The reduced speed limit, which is expected to be lifted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, will allow for the fresh concrete to properly cure due to the reduced vibration from the lower-speed traffic.

Traffic delays up to an hour are possible.

The northbound bridge, located midway between Mesquite, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, at milepost 16, is closed for the reconstruction project and both directions of traffic are currently traveling on the two-lane southbound bridge, which will also be replaced when the new, wider northbound bridge is completed this summer.

The completion of the concrete deck pour is a significant milestone on the $27 million reconstruction project that began in 2014, and includes the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the gorge.

The highway is currently narrowed to one lane in each direction through the work zone until the Virgin River Bridge No. 6 project is completed in 2016.

With limited alternate routes due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT urges drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down and drive carefully through the work zone, and be alert for additional construction equipment, crews and law enforcement personnel.

Paving work nears completion on SR 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley

Posted on by

CHINO VALLEY — The widening project between Prescott and Chino Valley on State Route 89 enters the final phase of construction as crews near completion with paving the new roadway. Paving work is scheduled at night for the next six weeks, weather permitted.

Motorists traveling northbound on SR 89 on Friday, June 5 will be shifted onto the new northbound roadway at milepost 323 to the north end of the project. No delays expected.

For the next six weeks, drivers need to be aware of increased construction activity and work in the median and adhere to the reduced speed limit of 45 mph.

Upon completion of the $17 million project, ADOT will expand the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway along a five-mile segment of SR 89 (mileposts 320-325) between Road 4 South in Chino Valley and Deep Well Ranch Road in Prescott, just north of the SR 89/SR 89A junction.

The project is expected to be complete by August.

Need a driver license? Save time at the MVD office by going online first

Posted on by

250px-port-driver-licensePHOENIX — If you’re applying for a driver license, instructional permit or identification card, you can save time by submitting your application online before heading to a Motor Vehicle Division office.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants to remind people of the “Be Prepared” online service that began three years ago.

To begin, go to the ADOT MVD website at azdot.gov/mvd and click on “Driver License Information” under the Driver Services heading. From there, click on the link to complete the driver license/identification card application online and submit it. There is also a link to a list of acceptable proof of identification for applying for a credential.

Once the application has been submitted, print out the confirmation page containing a barcode and bring that along with appropriate identification documents to the MVD office or one of the 14 Authorized Third Party offices that offer driver license services. The printed barcode will allow staff to retrieve your online application from the computer system.

Online applications can be completed for an operator, commercial driver and motorcycle license, as well as an instructional permit and identification card. The applicant must pay the appropriate fee at the office and may be required to take the written or road skills test if necessary.

“This online service is one of several ways the Motor Vehicle Division is saving customers time when they visit an office,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of this service and make their visit easier.”

Other tips for faster service in addition to utilizing the online application include:

  • The best days to visit an office are usually Wednesday and Thursday
  • The busiest days tend to be around the 15th and the last day of the month, which are vehicle registration renewal deadlines, as well as the day after a holiday or other office closure
  • If you have an out-of-state driver license or identification card, bring it with you to the office

For more information or questions about the driver license application process, please visit: azdot.gov/driverlicenseinfo.

US 89 improvement project south of Page starts June 1

Posted on by

PAGE — Motorists traveling on US 89 between Cameron and Page should allow for extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation makes improvements to an eight-mile stretch of roadway from Gray Spot Wash to North Red Hill (mileposts 510-517), just south of the US 89/US 89A junction near Bitter Springs.

Beginning on Monday, June 1, the two-lane highway will be reduced to one lane and traffic will alternate through the work zone with the aid of a pilot car. During the one-lane restriction, delays of up to 30 minutes are possible.

In addition to resurfacing the pavement throughout the entire project length, ADOT will construct new passing lanes for north- and southbound travel (mileposts 514-515), widen the shoulders and reinforce bank protection at Tanner Wash.

The $6.9 million improvement project in Coconino County is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from early morning hours to sunset. No nighttime, weekend or holiday construction is anticipated.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Mountain Lion has been sighted in Williams

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — We have confirmed that there has been a mountain lion sighted in the City of Williams. It is our understanding that Arizona Game and Fish has been notified and is working with the Williams Police Department to capture the animal.

The cougar was sighted several weeks ago and was sighted again last night. It appears to be hanging around Pine Street area in the south-eastern section of town according to reports.

It is recommended that you keep your dogs on a strong leash when walking them and keep dogs and cats inside at night unless you are with them.

If you spot it, do not attempt to approach, capture or shoot it. Call the Williams Police Department at 928-635-4461.

Next phase for US 89 and Haul Road roundabout construction to begin Friday

Posted on by

PAGE — The Arizona Department of Transportation is moving onto the next phase of construction on the new roundabout at the intersection of US 89 and Haul Road in Page, beginning this Friday, May 29.

During this phase of construction the intersection of US 89 and Haul Road will have restrictions in place for east- and westbound travel on Haul Road, which will not allow cross traffic on US 89 from Haul Road.

With Haul Road temporarily closed at the US 89 junction during the roundabout construction, motorists can connect to local businesses by using one of two new access locations along US 89: one in front of Walmart, and the other on the north side of McDonald’s.

Traffic on US 89 will be accommodated with one lane of travel in each direction, including a center turn lane. ADOT urges motorists to obey the reduced speed limit of 25 mph through the work zone.

Access to area businesses will be provided at all times during construction.  Drivers can expect congestion through the work zone and should be prepared for possible delays. Motorists should allow for extra time and exercise caution while traveling through work zones.

The $2.3 million improvement project includes the construction of a large, two-lane roundabout that will allow oversized vehicles, including houseboats, to safely pass through the intersection. The project is expected to be completed late this year.

For more information on the project, please visit azdot.gov/US89PageRoundabout.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

Final paving to resume on US 180 from Flagstaff to Snow Bowl June 1

Posted on by

sf-peaksFLAGSTAFF — After a winter hiatus, the Arizona Department of Transportation is returning next week to apply the top layer of asphalt along a five-mile segment of US 180 from Schultz Pass to Bader roads (mileposts 214-219).

The work is part of a pavement preservation project that started in summer 2014, but work had to be temporarily suspended until warmer temperatures allowed for the final paving.

The work will occur daily, Monday, June 1 through Saturday, June 6, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Additional work may be necessary throughout the month and additional traffic alerts will be issued in advance of those operations.

During paving operations, the two-lane roadway will be reduced to one lane. Pilot cars will allow for alternating travel and delays can be expected in both directions.

Motorists interested in traveling to the Grand Canyon National Park can use Interstate 40 to State Route 64 in Williams west of Flagstaff as an alternate route.

Traffic shift scheduled Tuesday on SR 89 at Road 4 North in Chino Valley

Posted on by

CHINO VALLEY — Motorists traveling along State Route 89 in Chino Valley need to be aware of a traffic shift that will occur on Tuesday, May 26 as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues constructing the new roundabout at the intersection at Road 4 North.

Traffic will be shifted from the east side to the west side of SR 89 at Road 4 North in Chino Valley and the new configuration will be in place for the next three months.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to be aware of the new alignment, allow additional travel time to reach their destinations and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. Weather can affect a project schedule.

This $2.1 million project consists of a new roundabout at the intersection of SR 89 and Road 4 North between mileposts 330-331. Additional work includes removal and replacement of existing pavement, drainage improvements, new pavement markings and lighting.

This project is expected to be complete by August.

MESA: Proposed Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Renewal Permit

Posted on by

Pursuant to the Clean Water Act and in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R18-9-A907, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) proposes to issue an Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES) Permit to discharge pollutants to Waters of the United States to the following applicant, subject to certain effluent limitations and special conditions:

Public Notice No. 15-58                                                      Published on May 21, 2015
Published in East Valley Tribune

AZPDES Permit No. AZ0025241
City of Mesa Water Resources
Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant (GWRP)
P.O. Box 1466
Mesa, Arizona 85211-1466

The City of Mesa applied for a renewal AZPDES permit for the proposed discharge of up to 16 million gallons per day (mgd) of from the GWRP to the East Maricopa Floodway, tributary to the Gila River in the Middle Gila River Basin in Township 2 S, Range 6 E, Section 15, in Maricopa County, Arizona. The GWRP is a publicly owned treatment works that receives domestic wastewater from residential, commercial, and industrial sources in the City of Mesa and the Towns of Queen Creek and Gilbert. Sludge is treated on-site and then either hauled by a licensed contractor to the Apache Junction Landfill or land applied as Class B Biosolids, with the back-up capability to pump and discharge to the Baseline Interceptor and send to the City of Phoenix 91st Avenue WWTP for treatment.

The permit and fact sheet may be viewed online at http://www.azdeq.gov/cgi-bin/vertical.pl by typing the permit number in the box left of “Search Event”. The public notice and related documentation also are available for public review, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. In Phoenix, please call (602) 771-4380 or e-mail recordscenter@azdeq.gov 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment to review the file.

Persons may submit comments or request a public hearing on the proposed action in writing, to Jacqueline Maye, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 1110 W. Washington St., 5415B-3, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. All written comments received by ADEQ by the close of business on the date 30 days after publication of this notice will be considered in the final permit decision. A public hearing request must be in writing and must include the reasons for such request. If there is a significant degree of public interest, the Director will hold a hearing in accordance with A.A.C. R18-9-A908(B).

Middle Gila River selenium and boron draft TMDL comment extension announced

Posted on by

PHOENIX — In response to several requests, ADEQ is allowing additional time to respond to the content of the Middle Gila River Selenium and Boron TMDLs. These draft TMDLs were released on April 23rd for public comment.

In recognizing that parts of the stakeholder population may not have had time to read, consider, or respond to the TMDLs, and in support of trying to engage the largest stakeholder population that we reasonably can, ADEQ is granting a one-week extension for the submission of written comments.

A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that load among the various sources of that pollutant.

Formal comments must be in writing (email attachments are fine) and should be addressed to dm4@azdeq.gov or mailed to the attention of the project hydrologist Doug McCarty at ADEQ. The address is 1110 W. Washington St, Phoenix AZ 85007. Only written comments will be formally considered and responded to by the agency.

The deadline has been extended to 5:00 pm on May 29.