Tag Archives: ADOT

Future improvement projects along US 60 near Globe to cause heavy delays

Posted on by

PHOENIX — Motorists who travel regularly on US 60 between Globe and Phoenix need to be aware of a series of upcoming improvement projects that will impact traffic on the highway this summer.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is investing nearly $65 million in four critical projects in Pinal/Gila counties that will start this year and build upon efforts to upgrade the US 60 corridor, which is a major transportation route connecting the Phoenix metropolitan area and the communities of Florence Junction, Superior, Globe, Miami, San Carlos and Show Low.

“Improvement projects planned this summer along the US 60 corridor will ultimately enhance safety for motorists,” said ADOT Globe District Engineer Jesse Gutierrez. “Some of the projects will require significant traffic restrictions, so it will be important for motorists to allow extra travel time and plan ahead when construction starts.”

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts by scheduling work hours on overlapping projects at different times of the day as much as possible. A detailed schedule of traffic restrictions will be released to the public prior to the start of construction.

The first project along US 60 will start in June, when ADOT will build a new westbound climbing lane and widen shoulders along a 13-mile stretch of US 60 from the Oak Flat area to the town of Miami (mileposts 229-242).

This $13 million safety improvement project will make it easier for motorists to pass large trucks and slow-moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway from Devil’s Canyon to the Oak Flat area (mileposts 230-232).

When this project starts, blasting operations will require intermittent full closures of the highway.

Later in the summer, ADOT will 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 US 60 Silver King/Superior Streets project just west of Superior (mileposts 222-227) is expected to take two years to complete and will include improving the urban section of highway in Superior. The five-mile-long widening improvements will improve traffic flow and enhance safety on US 60.

East of Superior at milepost 228, ADOT will replace the antiquated lighting in the US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel with a new light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system. This will be the first tunnel in Arizona to have this LED technology.

The new lighting system will improve visibility within the tunnel, which was originally built in 1952, by using an adaptive control system that will adjust the lighting level based upon ambient light and weather conditions outside the tunnel.

ADOT expects to replace the lighting system beginning this summer, which will require new conduit and wiring in the quarter-mile-long tunnel. The total project cost is estimated to be $3.8 million.

The final project on US 60 is a $3 million rock mitigation project along mileposts 228-229, where crews will remove loose boulders along this very rocky and steep section of highway adjacent to the Queen Creek Tunnel.
640-60-corridor

SR 89A travel reduced to one lane south of switchbacks beginning Monday

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF/SEDONA — Motorists traveling on State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff should allow for extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation starts a safety improvement project next week to improve erosion protection along the eastern bank of Oak Creek at milepost 385, just south of the switchbacks.

Beginning on Monday, May 4, SR 89A will be reduced to one lane during daytime Monday through Friday, from the early morning hours to 4 p.m., as northbound and southbound traffic will alternate driving through the work zone.

No nighttime, weekend or holiday work is anticipated.

The repair to the creek bank will fortify support to the roadway and prepare for strong stormwater flows expected during the monsoon season. Following last year’s Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, water flow in Oak Creek is expected to increase and could undermine the east bank of Oak Creek and roadway support at this location without the scheduled improvement work.

The bank protection work is anticipated to be fully completed this summer.

Flaggers will be on-site to provide alternating north- and southbound travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra travel time as delays up to 15 minutes can be expected while work is performed.

Pothole repairs scheduled for US 89 just north of Flagstaff

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Travelers heading southbound on US 89 just north of Flagstaff may encounter delays through Doney Park just north of Flagstaff, as ADOT maintenance crews repair potholes in the area.

The work will take place on the southbound lanes of US 89 between mileposts 426 to 429, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday (May 4- 6). Drivers are asked to use caution while in the construction area and to be alert for ADOT maintenance crew and observe potential lane closures or speed reductions while work is underway.

Overnight work Sunday night on Interstate 17 for pavement work

Posted on by

The Arizona Department of Transportation will perform routine pavement maintenance overnight on northbound Interstate 17 at the Sunset Point traffic interchange (milepost 252) on Sunday, May 3 between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Drivers traveling through the work zone will be required to use the off and on-ramp at Sunset Point to continue on northbound I-17 during work hours. Minimal delays expected.

Crews will also be working on southbound I-17 near the Bumble Bee traffic interchange (mileposts 246 to 249) on a three-mile segment for pavement repair on May 3 that will require a lane restriction between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The speed limit through the work zones will be reduced to 45 mph during work hours.

Paving project on Interstate 17 between SR 169 and Middle Verde begins tonight

Posted on by

PRESCOTT — The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin an overnight paving project tonight, April 29 on Interstate 17 to repave a 12-mile segment between State Route 169 and the Middle Verde traffic interchange (mileposts 279 to 291).

Work hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day. This week, crews will place temporary concrete barrier at the General Crook exit (milepost 285). The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone to 55 mph, minimal delays expected.

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.

Work on Route 66 to 64 begins

Posted on by

640-rt66work-15-04-21-18WILLIAMS — Paving work has begun on the Route 66 to Route 64 exchange area near Bearizona Wildlife Park. Caution is advised while traveling through a construction zone and you can expect delays.

State Route 473 to Hawley Lake to reopen in the White Mountains

Posted on by

The Arizona Department of Transportation is reopening State Route 473 to Hawley Lake tomorrow.

The highway was closed at the request of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in 2014 so repairs could be made to the lakes dam. Anyone wishing to use the Hawley Lake recreational area should first check with the tribe to make sure the lake and campgrounds are open.

ADOT encourages Arizonans to enjoy the mountains this summer and return home safely by observing the following tips:

  • Make sure you and your passengers are buckled in
  • Check your vehicle’s condition before you travel; proper tire pressure is important
  • Be patient (don’t speed and don’t follow other vehicles too closely)
  • Get an adequate amount of sleep before your trip
  • Bring extra water and food
  • Build some extra travel time into your schedule
  • Never drink and drive

State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon reduced to one lane at switchbacks for shoulder work Tuesday

Posted on by

OAK CREEK — Motorists traveling through the Oak Creek Canyon switchbacks on State Route 89A on Tuesday, April 21, should expect possible delays and allow extra travel time, while crews perform shoulder work at milepost 389.

Maintenance will be performed on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with one lane of travel through the area. Flaggers will allow for alternating traffic and drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations and use caution while traveling through the area.

Safety improvement project scheduled on SR 260 Wednesday

Posted on by

The Arizona Department of Transportation will remove dead trees from the right-of-way along a two-mile segment of State Route 260 next week in both directions (mileposts 247 to 249), approximately three miles west of the SR 260/87 junction, and eight miles north of Strawberry.

Work will begin on Monday, April 20 through Wednesday, April 22 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes to allow a safe work zone for maintenance crews to remove fallen trees from the roadway. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone.

For safety reasons, motorists are urged to not to stop in the tree-cutting areas to pick up the wood.

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

Construction for temporary water line on US 93 west of Wickenburg next week

Posted on by

WICKENBURG — As work continues on the expansion project on US 93 (mileposts 185-190) west of Wickenburg, local motorists should be aware that crews will install a temporary construction water line affecting three driveways off of US 93 on Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Access to the Moreton Air Park Road, Caballero Drive (Vista Royale) and the Antelope Creek Road will be limited during work hours as crews install a temporary construction water line.

Drivers will be guided through the work zone by flaggers and delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

ADOT began this expansion project earlier this year to widen a five-mile segment of US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89. The $12.5 million improvement project to construct a modern, four-lane divided highway is expected to be completed in 2016.

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.