Traffic shift scheduled tomorrow on SR 89 at Perkinsville in Chino Valley, weather permitting

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Crews are scheduled to move traffic tomorrow (May 18) on State Route 89 at Perkinsville Road back to the west side of the highway (weather permitting) in order to continue building the new roundabout.

Minor delays are expected between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. as crews restripe the roadway and adjust the traffic control. Drivers will be in the new configuration for approximately four weeks.

Drivers may have minimal impacts during work hours and ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

This $1.5 million project consists of a new roundabout at the intersection of SR 89 and Perkinsville Road between mileposts 328 and 329. Additional work includes removal and replacement of existing pavement, drainage improvements, new pavement markings and lighting.

This project is expected to be complete by September.

MVD looks for ways to get Arizonans out of line and safely on the road

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PHOENIX — In the not-so-distant past, someone retaking a road test at an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office had to stand in line – not to retake the test but to re-verify the application, a process that required spending several minutes at a window after taking a number and waiting to be called.

Today, that returning individual will retake the test first. Once he or she passes, a customer service representative will then process the rest of the application.

The change, which saves time for the test-taker as well as other waiting customers, is just one of the ways MVD is innovating to achieve its strategic vision of getting customers out of line and safely on the road.

“We’re continually looking to see where we can save time or even a visit to an office,” ADOT Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen said. “’Out of line and safely on the road’ is the way we’re doing business to benefit the residents of this state.”

Jorgensen, who became MVD director in March 2015, said there are several reasons behind the push to streamline processes and create more value for customers, starting with a philosophy his father shared.

“He would tell us, ‘If you see something that needs to be done, do it,’” Jorgensen said. “That saying has stuck with me, and I use it every day.”

He shares that philosophy with employees, noting that suggestions and feedback from those working at MVD offices have driven process improvements.

Another philosophy that drives Jorgensen is “a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”

“It’s important to build momentum. Sometimes we have to build the race car while in the race,” Jorgensen said. “We have identified a lot of projects at MVD that will help us build that momentum and carry us to greater things.”

MVD’s vision is part of an agency-wide commitment to continuous improvement that involves every aspect of ADOT operations.

For MVD, finding new ways to leverage technology is another way to get customers out of line. That starts with expanding what can be done through ServiceArizona.com. The website and the 43 ServiceArizona kiosks at MVD offices and courthouses around Arizona offer more than 20 motor vehicle services such as vehicle registration renewal and ordering replacement driver licenses and specialty license plates, with more to come.

ServiceArizona initiatives include rolling out online appointment scheduling for all MVD offices. That’s already happening on a smaller scale for those wishing to convert driver licenses to the new Voluntary Travel ID at select MVD offices.

“We live in a time where technology allows people to conduct a lot of business anytime and anywhere,” Jorgensen said. “We want to do the same with the MVD and reduce or even eliminate the need to physically come into an office.”

An innovative approach is allowing MVD to modernize its computer system over the next few years through a partnership with IBM, which maintains ServiceArizona.com. A portion of all sales through ServiceArizona.com are going toward computer system improvements that will make motor vehicle services more accessible and efficient.

MVD also continues expanding options and convenience for customers through Authorized Third Party providers, with 165 businesses statewide providing services including a growing number offering driver licenses.

Ultimately, getting customers out of line and safely on the road is about helping people get what they need from the MVD in a timely and efficient way.

“Like most people who become public servants, MVD employees ‒ myself included ‒ want to help others, make things better and be part of a solution,” Jorgensen said. “It’s happening here at the MVD. We’re making a difference every day.”

North Zone Readiness Review a Success

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2016 Readiness Review_NKRD_May 2016_#2: Wildland firefighters arrive on scene of a simulated wildfire. Here the initial attack Incident Commander sets the tone for the crews initial response by first completing a 360-degree size-up of the scene, reassessing as needed, developing and adjusting a tactical response and continuously communicating the strategy and objectives to the crew. Photo by David Hercher. Credit the U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

Wildland firefighters arrive on scene of a simulated wildfire. Here the initial attack Incident Commander sets the tone for the crews initial response by first completing a 360-degree size-up of the scene, reassessing as needed, developing and adjusting a tactical response and continuously communicating the strategy and objectives to the crew. Photo by David Hercher, U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

FREDONIA — Wildland firefighters from the Kaibab National Forest, Color Country Bureau of Land Management and Grand Canyon National Park trained together May 12 at the North Kaibab Ranger District for their annual readiness review training.

Personnel included six engine crews, three fire lookouts, a three-member fuels crew, three fire prevention specialists, four members of the Grand Canyon National Park helitack crew, four resource specialists from the Kaibab National Forest, fire leadership from both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park, and law enforcement personnel from Grand Canyon National Park.

2016 Readiness Review_NKRD_May 2016_#1: During a simulated fire shelter deployment, a crewmember goes down, creating an incident-within-an-incident. Upon assessing the situation, suspected mechanism of injury, and the patient's ABCs, the incident commander for this scenario rolls the unresponsive patient into the lateral recumbent recovery position, while other crew members arrange for ground and air transport. Photo by David Hercher. Credit the U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

During a simulated fire shelter deployment, a crewmember goes down, creating an incident-within-an-incident. Upon assessing the situation, suspected mechanism of injury, and the patient’s ABCs, the incident commander for this scenario rolls the unresponsive patient into the lateral recumbent recovery position, while other crew members arrange for ground and air transport. Photo by David Hercher, U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

Participants rotated through a variety of stations working on a simulated wildfire, hoselays, water pumping, fire shelter deployment, medical emergency treatment and transport, tactical decision making, fire prevention and education, coordinating with fire lookouts and working alongside the North Zone dozer operator during wildfire operations.

Prior to commencing the day’s training, participants discussed the intent and expectations of the exercise, and Jay Lusher, Chief Fire and Aviation, Grand Canyon National Park, said, “Today we are here to take the time to build our team before we engage, to remember our fireline leadership core values: duty, integrity, respect.”

“Fires eventually will go out, trees will grow back, and homes can be rebuilt, but at the end of the day we want everyone to make it back home safely,” added Kaibab National Forest Fuels Specialist Drew Leiendecker, as both he and Lusher reiterated the wildland firefighting community’s “Life First” leader’s intent – to remind all wildland firefighters to commit to “Stop (assess the situation), Think (critically about what is going on) Talk (about what you see), and Listen (to what is being said and what your gut is telling you), before you Act (providing a level of risk management before blindly charging in as if it is just another routine task, assignment, or mission)” in order to help eliminate unnecessary exposure and increase the odds that everyone goes home.

Closing out the day’s training, participants conducted an after action review and provided fire managers with feedback on the day’s successes and improvements for next season.

“The day was a success. Our firefighters demonstrated that they’re ready for the 2016 fire season. We will continue to focus on the basics, build on our strengths, and constantly seek opportunities to improve, “said North Zone Fuels Specialist Dave Robinson. “Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success, and remember to seek training opportunities, ask questions, and learn from each other daily.”

Information on current Kaibab National Forest wildfires and notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided through the following methods:

Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website “News & Events”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Possible thunderstorms for Run for the Wall

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run-for-the-wallroute01WILLIAMS — On Wednesday, the motorcycle rally, Run For the Wall begins their travel to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington to arrive on Memorial Day. Their traditional first overnight stop is Williams and Flagstaff. We have greeted them with sun and snow. This year it appears that we will greet them with thunderstorms.

Run For the Wall started out in 1989 as a small group of motorcycle riders led by James Gregory and Bill Evans. Since then they have grown to hundreds of motorcycle riders who travel each year to promote healing among Vietnam veterans and call for a full accounting of those missing in action.

Sadly, however, many of the veterans can are passing or getting too old to make the trip. There are others—family members, new veterans and even active military—who are picking up the gauntlet and keeping the movement alive.


The valiant riders do not seem deterred by any weather northern Arizona can throw at them. In 2011 they rode into a snow storm. They even have a patch commemorating the event. They group sets up a trailer to sell souvenirs each year, so people can support the mission by purchasing patches, shirts, hats and other memorabilia of the event. The trailer is set up at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 at 425 Grant Avenue in Williams.

NOAA predicts thunderstorms tomorrow through Wednesday night. There is a slight chance Thursday clearing Thursday night. We can expect clear, though breezy, weather through the weekend.

Kaibab National Forest shares video of tribal partnership to restore springs

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest has posted a video to its website showing the partnership between the Hopi Tribe and forest on an important spring restoration project.

The video, which is available at http://bit.ly/Hopi-Kaibab, was filmed during portions of the Big Springs and Castle Springs Restoration Project on the North Kaibab Ranger District, which was the first tribal-Forest Service collaborative project to be implemented after the 2014 publication of the new Land and Resources Management Plan for the Kaibab National Forest. This was significant because the project put into action two important goals of the newly revised forest plan.

First, it implemented desired conditions for seeps and springs that had been developed collaboratively and identified in the plan. Second, it provided a setting for exchanging information between tribal elders and youth about land stewardship and offered an opportunity for the sharing of traditional ecological knowledge between the tribe and forest, which will contribute to future management actions on seeps and springs.

Over the course of a week in 2014, Hopi elders and cultural advisors [Hopi Cultural Resource Advisory Task Team] worked with 18 tribal youth from the Hopi Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, Hopi cultural and natural resources staff, Kaibab National Forest leadership, and representatives from a variety of other organizations and programs to conduct key restoration actions at two natural springs sites on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Since then, additional phased restoration work has been accomplished, and annual projects are planned for the coming years.

Partners have removed graffiti at Castle Springs and eliminated a decaying corral, rusted barbed wire fence and trash in the area. They have also removed invasive vegetation encroaching in an adjacent meadow, constructed water catchments using traditional techniques for both wildlife and cattle, and built a fence to protect the spring. At Big Springs, a more visible path has been constructed in order to deter visitors from making their own paths, alleviating the spider web effect of footpaths that was damaging fragile soils. And, throughout the project area, Hopi ancestral sites have been restored and protected against potential impacts from recreation and public use.

The video, which is about 10 minutes long, shows much of this work and also provides perspective on the importance of the project and its meaning to tribal members, Forest Service representatives and other partners. It highlights the ecological importance of natural springs as well as their cultural significance to tribes.

“I hope people take the time to watch this video so that they understand the shared goals we have with our tribal partners and the work we have done and are continuing to do to achieve those goals,” said Mike Lyndon, tribal liaison for the Kaibab National Forest. “This project was originally the idea of a Hopi elder who said that we all needed to come together – elders and youth from the tribe and Forest Service employees – to do this work together on the ground and to learn from one another. That knowledge can be carried forward as we continue to work on our shared goals and shared vision for important places on the Kaibab National Forest.”

Several of the people involved in the Big Springs and Castle Springs Restoration Project and the production of the video will be traveling to Washington, D.C., next week to be honored with a national-level Forest Service award for their efforts. They will receive the 2015 “Rise to the Future” award for “Tribal Accomplishment” in the category of excellence and leadership in fisheries, hydrology, soil science and air programs.

“I feel humbled and grateful that the partnership would be recognized for its merits and acknowledge that it is but a starting point for continued collaborative efforts in the future,” said Everett Gomez, Reed/Bamboo Clan, Paaqavi Village, and a case manager for the Hopi Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program.

“This work is important in many ways such as bringing our youth and elders together to promote teaching and understanding; cultural identity and survival; preserving our environment encompassing land, air and water; strong partnerships and sharing of resources between the entities involved; education and employment pathways for our youth; and, understanding better the importance of the spiritual value surrounding all these things,” Gomez said.

Flagstaff to host third public hearing for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Program

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FLAGSTAFF — Now is the time to comment on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s recommended plan for the next five years of construction projects.

ADOT is getting ready to hold its third and final public hearing next week on the 2017-2021 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. Everyone is welcome to submit comments online as well through May 30.

This comment period helps ADOT and the State Transportation Board, which reviews and approves the program update, learn which highway projects are most important to members of the public and communities statewide.

The third public hearing for the Tentative Five-Year Program is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 20, at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow the public hearing.

The Tentative Five-Year Program lays out proposed projects and improvements to the state highway system over the next five years. The program is updated annually and designates how much local, state and federal funding is allocated for projects for highways, bridges, transit and aviation.

For the 2017-2021 Tentative Five-Year Program, ADOT was able to recommend a few more expansion projects for Greater Arizona because of additional funding through the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, as well as a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. These projects, aimed at enhancing key freight corridors in Arizona, otherwise would have remained in ADOT’s Development Program as projects not starting until six to 10 years out.

Among ADOT’s suggestions to move forward on a quicker timeline are two Interstate 10 widening projects in Pinal County (segments at State Route 87 to Picacho Peak and Earley Road to Interstate 8), two widening projects along US 93 and the State Route 347 railroad overpass project in the city of Maricopa. The SR 347 project received a $15 million TIGER grant and a $15 million local contribution to add to ADOT’s $19 million commitment.

ADOT also remains focused on preserving the existing state highway system, which is valued at more than $20 billion. ADOT’s proposal meets its goal of $260 million per year dedicated to preservation work, such as bridges in need of upgrades and pavement in need of repair.

The 2017-2021 Tentative Program is available for public review and comment at azdot.gov/fiveyearplan, where a “how to read it” guide is available. ADOT welcomes feedback through an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/CJY36HY, email at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov and by calling 1-855-712-8530.

 

Restriction required on Milton Road (SR 89A) for work on overhead message sign

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be working on the overhead message sign on Milton Road (SR 89A) between University Drive and Forest Meadows Street in Flagstaff. This work will require a restriction for southbound travel on Milton Road (SR 89A) from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday (May 16).

Please observe reduced speeds and exercise caution while traveling through the work zone.

Overhead message signs span ADOT roadways and are used to help keep drivers informed of traffic, road and weather conditions.

State Route 67 to Grand Canyon’s North Rim reopens Sunday

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PHOENIX — State Route 67, the winding 40-mile highway from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, will reopen for the summer this Sunday, May 15.

The road, which connects with US 89A, has been closed since Dec. 1. The Arizona Department of Transportation doesn’t clear snow from SR 67 during the winter because visitor accommodations at the North Rim are closed.

The lodge and visitor center at the North Rim also reopen for the summer on Sunday.

To reach the North Rim from Flagstaff, take US 89 north about 110 miles to Bitter Springs, head west on US 89A for about 60 miles to Jacob Lake and then go south on SR 67.

Williams still needs donations for Senior Grad night

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gn160429-2WILLIAMS — Previous serious accidents underscore the need to help graduating seniors to finance their safe alternative graduation night. Parents Who Care was formed to take donations to fund a safe alternative to drinking and driving.

In that effort the Seniors have planned a car wash tomorrow at the Car Wash on Route 66 across from the police station. There is also a donation tub at Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe in the Red Garter Inn.

According to a press release by the Arizona Department of Transportation:

If historical trends hold, the square covers tossed in the air at commencement ceremonies could be the last caps worn by some recent graduates.

That’s because alcohol-related crashes involving drivers ages 16-24 spike in May, making it one of the most dangerous months for young drivers. Since 2010, during the sober month of May there have been 50 alcohol-related fatal crashes involving young drivers on Arizona roadways, according to data collected by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crashes of all kinds involving young drivers typically peak in October and November. But the largest totals of alcohol-related crashes involving young drivers are in March and May. Many variables contribute to this, but spring break and end-of-the-school-year celebrations are obvious factors. Impaired driving crashes involving young drivers occur at higher-than-average rates during the months of June and July, too.

Everyone with a diploma knows the solution: don’t drink and drive. Designate a driver. Call a cab or rideshare service. Besides being life-threatening to drivers, passengers and innocents that share the road, a DUI is a terrible graduation gift.

State agencies working to reduce risk of blowing dust from farm along I-10

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PHOENIX — With trucks spraying water, first responders standing by to close Interstate 10 when conditions warrant, and air quality and agriculture representatives advising the land owner, state agencies are working to reduce the risk from dust blowing off recently plowed farmland in southeastern Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Department of Public Safety have closed 60-plus miles of I-10 several times in recent weeks as dust has severely limited visibility at milepost 376 near the New Mexico state line. That has sent traffic on a 110-mile detour from US 191 east of Willcox and from US 70 near Lordsburg, New Mexico, through Safford.

Over the weekend, ADOT began using eight tanker trucks to haul water, transferring it to two larger tankers belonging to a local contractor that are used to spray water in hopes of creating a layer of wind-resistant crust. The trucks have given an initial watering to more than 320 acres of the 640 acres responsible for most of the dust restricting visibility on the interstate.

“We’ve mobilized these forces on a short-term basis to help ensure safety and maintain mobility,” said Jesse Gutierrez, ADOT’s deputy state engineer for statewide operations.

Representatives of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Arizona Department of Agriculture are working with the land owner on best practices for reducing dust.

Meanwhile, ADOT employees and Arizona State Troopers are stationed along I-10 near the field and are ready to immediately close the interstate when conditions warrant. With strong winds in the forecast for the coming weekend, more closures are a possibility even after trucks have given the field an initial watering.

“We realize that closing I-10 for an extended period is a hardship for motorists, for drivers of commercial vehicles and for those along the lengthy detour route, but in this case the safest option is the only option,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT and other state agencies are collaborating to improve highway safety and also limit the economic and time costs created by these dust closures.”

The agencies are keeping track of their use of state resources to reduce dust, improve highway safety and limit disruption of the I-10 corridor and will work with the land owner to arrange reimbursement. The owner is cooperating with these efforts, but the Department of Environmental Quality can require action should that change.

“ADEQ continues to work diligently with the other state agencies and the cooperating farmer to find meaningful short- and long-term solutions to the dust issue,” said Misael Cabrera, director of the Department of Environmental Quality. “ADEQ does have enforcement authority to address excessive dust issues but reserves those actions for cases when a property owner or company does not take the required steps to solve ongoing environmental violations.”