Category Archives: Department of Transportation

Pavement work in median on SR 69 in Humboldt this week

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adot-logo3HUMBOLT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will be working on the pavement in the median and left turn lanes on State Route 69 in Humboldt (milepost 279) on Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Drivers can expect the left turn lanes to be closed through the work zones. A clearly marked detour will be in place. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. Minimal delays are expected.

ADOT launches ‘Safe Phone Zones’ at 14 highway rest area locations

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PHOENIX – Travelers who stop to take a break at one of Arizona’s 14 highway rest area locations will now notice new signs designating the rest areas as “Safe Phone Zones,” which is part of a nationwide effort to encourage drivers to pull into a safe location to use their phones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps.

Today, the Arizona Department of Transportation unveiled the new Safe Phone Zone signs as part of a partnership with GEICO. The signs feature the GEICO Gecko image and can be seen along the highways leading to the rest areas and within the rest areas themselves.

This sponsorship program is part of ADOT’s rest area public-private partnership, which began last October and is the department’s first fully implemented public-private partnership. Under this five-year agreement, Infrastructure Corporation of America, a private company, manages the daily maintenance and operations of the rest areas, and has implemented a sponsorship and advertising program to generate revenue for reinvestment in the rest areas. The GEICO sponsorship is the first one to move forward. ADOT still owns all 14 rest areas.

“ADOT’s top priority is safety and we are committed to educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “These Safe Phone Zones provide travelers with the opportunity to pull into a rest area where they can use their phones safely and responsibly. We are able to move this project forward because of the legislation enacted to generate public-private partnerships in Arizona — partnerships that have proven to be an innovative approach to funding transportation projects with non-traditional funding sources.”

This morning, Halikowski was joined by representatives from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, GEICO and Infrastructure Corporation of America to unveil the new Safe Phone Zone signs at ADOT’s offices in Phoenix. The signs have already been installed in the rest areas and along the highways throughout Arizona.

“Distracted driving is a major concern for motorists in Arizona and across the country. Each year, there is a growing number of injuries and fatal accidents directly related to this issue,” said Martha Furnas, GEICO regional vice president. “GEICO is proud to partner with the Arizona Department of Transportation to create Safe Phone Zones throughout the state, where motorists can answer texts and make phone calls, all in a safe and convenient environment.”

The Safe Phone Zone signs will be installed and maintained by Infrastructure Corporation of America, as part of the public-private partnership with ADOT. The company plans to generate other sponsorships to add more amenities within the rest areas to provide a better experience for travelers.

“Every state is facing a tremendous challenge to do more with less in order to keep their infrastructure preserved and maintained,” said Butch Eley, CEO of Infrastructure Corporation of America. “ICA is proud to be Arizona’s partner in an innovative project that will ensure rest areas are well-maintained, that they generate new revenues to support high-quality maintenance, and through GEICO’s participation and expansion of the Safe Phone Zones, will make the highways safer. We are thrilled the Arizona Department of Transportation is taking a nationally leading role in advancing this innovative, public-private partnership model for the people of Arizona.”

ADOT is one of several state departments of transportation to implement public-private partnerships to move public transportation projects forward with private investment. For more information about ADOT’s public-private partnership program, go to azdot.gov/P3.

ADOT to widen seven-mile stretch of Oracle Road in Tucson

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adot-logo3PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is starting a project that will make it easier for drivers and cyclists to move along a seven-mile stretch of Oracle Road (State Route 77) in the Catalina area.

Beginning June 12, crews will begin adding one new travel lane in each direction for a total of six lanes between Tangerine Road and the Pinal County line. Work will also include widening the shoulders of the road making it easier for cyclists to ride in the area as well as adding raised medians, making traffic signal improvements and installing a shared-use path on the east side of Oracle Road from Wilds Road to Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard.

Two wildlife crossing structures, one overpass and one underpass, funded by the Regional Transportation Authority, will be constructed as a part of the project. These structures are designed to keep motorists safe and reduce vehicle-animal collisions.

Two lanes of travel will be maintained through the work zone with occasional lane closures taking place during nighttime hours. Drivers are reminded to slow down while traveling through the work zone.

Construction is anticipated to be completed by spring 2016.

Utility relocation work began in spring 2013 to relocate utility lines – including gas, cable, phone and electric – so they won’t be in conflict with the widening project. The utility relocation work will continue through the beginning of the project.

The $33.9 million construction project is a collaboration between the Arizona Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and the Regional Transportation Authority.

Motor-vehicle crash fatalities rose in 2013

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adot-2013-5PHOENIX – The number of deaths in motor-vehicle crashes across the state rose by 2.8 percent in 2013, according to annual statistics released by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

An analysis of law enforcement reports on crashes shows 844 people were killed last year on state and local highways and streets, compared to 821 fatalities in 2012. The highest annual number of motor-vehicle crash fatalities in Arizona – 1,301 – occurred in 2006.

ADOT’s 2013 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report lists a total of 107,348 crashes across Arizona in 2013, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to 2012 (103,909 crashes).

“Every driver holds the key to reducing crashes and saving lives,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Our coalition of state, federal and local agencies will complete an updated Strategic Highway Safety Plan this summer to guide us in our continuing efforts to reduce the number and severity of crashes on all of Arizona’s public roadways.”

In late 2012, public safety agencies began the update the state’s highway safety plan, which was first adopted in 2007.

Fatal-crash categories with increases in 2013 included pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. Last year 158 pedestrians were killed, compared to 131 pedestrian fatalities in 2012 and 154 in 2011. Nearly 10 percent of all crashes involving pedestrians were fatal.

Meanwhile, 30 bicyclists were killed last year, compared to 18 in 2012 and 23 in 2011.

Annual figures also show 149 motorcycle riders or passengers died in Arizona last year, compared to 139 motorcycle-related deaths in 2012 and 132 in 2011.

Alcohol-related fatalities dropped by more than 7 percent last year compared to 2012. In 2013, 262 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. There were 283 such deaths in 2012 and 287 in 2011.

The total number of reported alcohol-related crashes was down from 5,460 in 2012 to 5,190 in 2013.

“The decrease in alcohol-related crashes and deaths is welcome news but doesn’t change our mission to stop impaired driving,” said Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Alberto Gutier. “Whether it’s our tougher laws, stepped up law enforcement or public awareness campaigns, we have to keep up the battle because nearly a third of the fatal crashes in the state last year were alcohol-related.”

As in past years, the most common driver violation cited by law enforcement officers was speed too fast for conditions.

Here are other figures from the 2013 Arizona Crash Facts report:

One person was killed in a motor-vehicle crash every 10.39 hours; an average of 2.31 people killed each day. 299 of the 844 people killed in motor-vehicle crashes were not wearing safety devices, including seat belts and helmets. Urban-area fatalities increased more than 12 percent last year with 443 deaths compared to 394 in 2012. Rural-area fatalities (401 deaths) decreased by 6 percent last year (compared to 427 in 2012). Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 17.75 percent of all crashes but also 39 percent of all fatal crashes. Crashes during daylight hours (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.) accounted for 73 percent of all crashes. Friday was the peak day of the week for all crashes during 2013, while November 22 was the peak date for all crashes with 737 crashes. Motor-vehicle crashes resulted in $2.99 billion in economic losses for Arizona.

ADOT begins I-17 intersection improvement at JW Powell south of Flagstaff

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adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Work begins next week on the JW Powell Boulevard and I-17 intersection, with construction realigning State Route 89A at that location, and adding roundabouts at the Fort Tuthill County Park entrance and the I-17 southbound ramp.

Preparations for this project began last September when ADOT worked closely with Coconino County, the city of Flagstaff and the local utility company to remove trees within the work zone prior to construction starting this year. The trees were then used by a local non-profit throughout the winter. The area will be reseeded once the project is completed.

No traffic restrictions are anticipated during construction because the existing ramps and roadway can still be used while the realignment and roundabouts are constructed adjacent to current traffic operations.

The project is anticipated to be complete by summer 2015.

Improvement project on US 180 in Flagstaff has started

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adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – Improvements include improving and adding turn lanes, new pavement and guardrail improvements between Columbus Avenue and Bader Road. There is currently work along the shoulder of the road with no lane restrictions. However, travelers using this route can expect delays and lane restrictions through the project area as early as Monday, June 9 as construction continues.

In addition, some night work will take place during the asphalt milling and paving operations to minimize impacts to heavier daytime traffic.

Motorists interested in traveling to the Grand Canyon can use I-40 to State Route 64 west of Flagstaff as an alternate route.

SR 89A project resumes in Oak Creek Canyon’s switchbacks

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adot-logo3OAK CREEK – As the battle against the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon winds down, the ongoing highway-improvement project along the “switchbacks” section of State Route 89A will resume this weekend.

The previously-scheduled closure of the three-mile stretch of SR 89A between the Pine Flat Campground and the Vista scenic overlook south of Flagstaff will remain in place for several weeks while crews remove loose rocks above the switchbacks, complete other safety improvements and resurface the highway.

SR 89A will reopen to traffic before the Fourth of July weekend.

The full closure of the highway had been scheduled to start on Tuesday (May 27) but crews were temporarily pulled off the project more than a week ago (Tuesday, May 20) due to the Slide Fire.

DETOUR INFO: While the switchbacks section along SR 89A is closed, ADOT recommends drivers use Interstate 17 and State Route 179 to travel between Flagstaff and Sedona.

Final paving on SR 89 on White Spar Road in Prescott next week

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adot-logo3ADOT is nearing completion of a pavement maintenance on White Spar Road in Prescott which began April 10.

Final pavement will be placed next week on the new roadway on State Route 89 (White Spar Road) in Prescott on Wednesday and Thursday, June 4 and 5 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

As paving activity occurs, drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes. Once paving is complete, crews will return in 30 days for final striping.

The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution. Comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Pavement maintenance next week on State Route 89A in Prescott Valley

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adot-logo3State Route 89A in Prescott Valley will be narrowed to one lane toward the top of Mingus Mountain (mileposts 331 to 338) between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3 and 4 for pavement preservation work.

Flaggers and a pilot car will direct traffic in alternating directions through the work zone. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph and drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

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

Fines for speeding through a construction zone are doubled.

Slide Rock Fire delays improvement project on SR 89A

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State Route 89A is closed between Flagstaff and Sedona.

adot-logo3PHOENIX — Due to the ongoing firefighting efforts against the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, the State Route 89A improvement project along the switchbacks north of Sedona is on hold at this time, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT had been preparing for a scheduled closure of the SR 89A switchbacks for a pavement and safety-improvement project starting on Tuesday, May 27, at the conclusion of the Memorial Day weekend.

Crews were pulled off the project Tuesday afternoon shortly after the start of the Slide Fire, which originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park.

Currently, SR 89A (mileposts 375-397) remains closed in both directions between Sedona and Flagstaff due to a wildfire that began Tuesday afternoon in the Oak Creek Canyon area.

Once the fire has been contained and access is allowed in the affected area, ADOT will need to conduct a roadway and rockfall assessment prior to any work resuming on the SR 89A project. Any potential environmental issues must also be addressed following the fire and all post-fire operations will be coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service.

Work began on the $2 million project to upgrade a three-and-a-half-mile segment of SR 89A between the Pine Flat Campground and Vista Point Overlook (mileposts 387-390) on April 21.