Tag Archives: ADOT

Paving project on Interstate 17 near Camp Verde continues next week

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CAMP VERDE — Work continues next week on a repaving project on a 12-mile segment of Interstate 17 between State Route 169 and Middle Verde Road traffic interchange (mileposts 279 to 291).

Crews will be resurfacing the off and on-ramps at Middle Verde Road (milepost 290), and the following restrictions have been scheduled:

  • The northbound I-17 off-ramp will be closed on Sunday, June 7
  • The northbound on-ramp to I-17 will be closed on Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9
  • One lane restriction northbound I-17 on Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 and 11 between Middle Verde Road and the McGuireville traffic interchange (milepost 290 to 292)
  • Drivers are encouraged to use the next exit as an alternate during work hours

Work hours are Sunday through Thursday nights between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.

This $7.5 million project consists of the removal of a layer of the existing pavement, repaving the roadway, bridge work and shoulder improvements. Work is expected to be complete by September.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. 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. 

ADOT completes new surface of reconstructed northbound Interstate 15 bridge

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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.

Public comment period for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Program ends next week

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PHOENIX — There is still time to add your voice to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2016-2020 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. The public comment period is open until the end of the business day on May 26 to provide community members with a chance to submit their input about the plan for the state transportation system over the next five years.

The 2016-2020 Tentative Five-Year Program is available for public review and comment at azdot.gov/fiveyearplan. ADOT has developed a “how to read it” guide and welcomes feedback at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov. A phone number is also available for public comments at 1-855-712-8530.

The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 26. Public hearings have been held in Tucson, Phoenix and Chino Valley. The board is expected to adopt the final 2016-2020 Five-Year Program at its June 19 meeting in Pinetop-Lakeside. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Pinetop-Lakeside Town Hall, 1360 N. Niels Hansen Lane, Lakeside, AZ 85929.

The 2016-2020 Tentative Five-Year Program lays out proposed projects and improvements to the state highway system over the next five years, with a major focus on preserving existing infrastructure to ensure that it remains in good condition, while providing a reliable transportation network for drivers. It can be a tough balance, as constrained funding simply cannot meet all the transportation needs around the state.

The Five-Year Program is updated annually and designates how much local, state and federal funding is allocated for projects. This includes highways, bridges, transit and aviation.

Limited funding amid growing statewide transportation needs continues to be the biggest challenge over the next five years. Fewer dollars dedicated to transportation is a result of less revenue from traditional sources of transportation funding, like the state gas tax and vehicle license tax, which support the Five-Year Program. The state gas tax is currently 18 cents per gallon and has not been increased for more than 20 years.

These transportation funding challenges have signaled a shift to a strong focus on the preservation of the state highway system, to protect a system valued at $19.7 billion. If ADOT did not invest in preservation, it would cost approximately $200 billion to replace our existing highway infrastructure, should it fall into disrepair. ADOT is committed to moving major expansion projects forward as well, but with less transportation dollars to stretch, fewer expansion projects make it into the Five-Year Program.

Good news for State Route 87 motorists traveling during Memorial Day weekend

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PHOENIX — Just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted all traffic restrictions along State Route 87 today, Thursday, May 21 as the agency nears completion of a safety improvement project approximately 10 miles north of Sunflower near the Maricopa/Gila County line.

Since construction started in October, motorists traveling between Phoenix and Payson have encountered a series of traffic restrictions related to a $6.2 million project to reconstruct an existing curve to make it easier for vehicles to navigate through at milepost 227, as well as building a new northbound truck escape ramp at milepost 228.

In addition to all four lanes (two in each direction) being reopened through the work zone, all wide load restrictions were removed permanently as well.

The project also includes slope excavation and reconstruction, drainage improvements, new signage and new concrete barrier installation.

The new runaway truck escape ramp will offer an opportunity for out-of-control trucks, which may have inoperable brakes, to safely exit the highway and come to a controlled stop. The truck escape ramp is scheduled to open next month, but there will not be an impact to the traveling public as the remaining work on that project will be completed away from the four-lane highway.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26, drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions in both directions for miscellaneous work through the end of June.