Tag Archives: Phoenix

Heavy traffic expected on Interstate 15 during Independence Day holiday

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adot-logo3PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation will lift some of the traffic restrictions on Interstate 15 through the Virgin River Gorge prior to the Independence Day holiday weekend (July 4-6), but is advising motorists to expect additional traffic through the weekend and be aware of the existing work zones.

With limited alternate routes available due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT is urging drivers traveling between Mesquite, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, to plan ahead for possible delays in both directions through the work zones due to heavier traffic volume throughout the holiday weekend.

Considerable progress has been made to date on ADOT’s multiple bridge projects along Arizona’s I-15 corridor. The $2.8 million improvement project to upgrade the surfaces of Bridge No. 3 and No. 7 (mileposts 13 and 22) is nearly complete. One traffic restriction remains on the northbound side of Bridge No. 3, which is narrowed to one lane through the work zone.

The $27 million project to reconstruct Bridge No. 6 (milepost 16), located approximately 20 miles south of St. George, is also ongoing and the highway is currently narrowed to one lane in each direction through the work zone until the project is completed in 2016. This significant project 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.

ADOT makes switch to online surplus equipment auctions

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adot-logo-03aPHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is trading in the auctioneer’s gavel for the computer mouse in making the switch to more convenient online auctions of the agency’s surplus vehicles and other equipment starting Tuesday, July 1.

The use of online auctions means ADOT’s used vehicles, older construction equipment and other surplus items will be put up for bid more frequently as they become available throughout the year. Until now, ADOT has held a public auction one or two times a year at an agency equipment yard in Phoenix.

Potential bidders will need to register online for free at publicsurplus.com where they will select Arizona as the region and Arizona Department of Transportation as the participating agency. Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit cards will also now be accepted as payment options.

ADOT’s first online auction items are scheduled to be available for bid starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Online auctions will typically run for 14 days.

Full descriptions of each item, along with photos and disclosures of any known issues, will be provided on the auction website.

Potential bidders also will be able to schedule an appointment to inspect items during each auction period by contacting ADOT Fleet Management. Information on how to schedule an appointment will be listed on the auction website.

Winning bidders of items will receive an email notification and then have five days to pay for the items and pick them up at the ADOT Equipment Services Yard, 2225 S. 22nd Ave., Phoenix.

Bidders should be aware that any ADOT vehicles and equipment will be auctioned and sold on an “as-is” basis.

Tanker rollover closes I-17 northbound in New River most of Thursday

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An oil tanker rollover has triggered a closure of Interstate 17 northbound in New River that is expected to last most of Thursday, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers traveling from Phoenix to northern Arizona destinations such as Flagstaff will need to use alternate routes Thursday through Prescott or Payson and plan for extended travel times.

The Prescott route involves using US 60 from the Phoenix area to Wickenburg, where drivers will turn onto US 93 until reaching State Route 89. Once taking SR 89 into Prescott, drivers can take SR 69 to Dewey, and then SR 169 to return to I-17.

The Payson route involves taking SR 87 from the Mesa or Fountain Hills area. About 20 miles north of Payson, drivers will turn northwest on SR 260 to return to I-17 in Camp Verde. Drivers should expect extra traffic on either of these alternate routes today due to the I-17 closure.

There is no estimated time to reopen northbound lanes of I-17 while a hazardous materials crew responds to the tanker rollover. Southbound lanes of I-17 are unaffected and remain open.

ADOT MVD addresses technical problems with the redesigned license

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new-driver-license-designPHOENIX — If anyone received a new driver license and it contains errors, there are some simple steps to take to get a corrected credential. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants to advise customers who received a redesigned driver license that contains errors to return to any local area Motor Vehicle Division office, email ADOT, or call 602-255-0072 or 800-251-5866.

It is important for anyone receiving the redesigned credential issued after June 16 to verify all of the information contained on the card.

The ADOT Motor Vehicle Division values its customers and continuously strives to provide the best customer service. The agency apologizes for the inconvenience this issue has created for some customers.

On June 16, the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division implemented a new system for processing driver license and identification card applications. The new process provides many safeguards to prevent fraud and counterfeiting of the Arizona credential. The applicant no longer receives the permanent credential at the end of the application process. Instead, a temporary credential is issued. The latest technology has been employed into the production of the temporary and the permanent credential.

In the first week of the new central-issuance process, more than 45,000 credentials were issued.

The ADOT Motor Vehicle Division has taken several steps to identify the cause of the technical problem and to make immediate corrections. Once a customer contacts the agency either by phone or a visit to a local office to notify of an error with their driver license, a corrected, fee-free credential is immediately ordered and mailed. The replacement credential is expected to arrive within five business days from the date reordered.

ADOT to test ‘Wrong Way’ sign changes, add reflective pavement arrows at several Phoenix-area freeway interchanges

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300px-wrong-wayPHOENIX – New steps are being taken in the Phoenix area this week in efforts to get the attention of wrong-way drivers before they enter a freeway in the wrong direction.

Although Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signs already are in place along freeway off-ramps, new and larger versions of such signs will be installed and studied along the exit ramps at six freeway interchanges, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. In addition, signs will be placed lower on their posts to test if that could help in alerting confused or impaired wrong-way drivers.

Crews also will be adding pavement markers in the shape of large arrows pointing the right way along the exit ramps. Those pavement markers have reflectors to display the color red as a warning to any drivers going the wrong way on the ramps. The reflectors are already in use as part of the lane markings on freeways.

The decision to enhance wrong-way driver signs and markings and observe their effectiveness follows discussions between ADOT, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the state’s Department of Public Safety.

In recent weeks, the new signs were produced at ADOT’s Sign Shop in Phoenix.

The six interchanges where the wrong-way driver countermeasures are being changed or introduced were identified in an earlier research study as ones with a history of wrong-way vehicle incidents, according to an analysis of 9-1-1 calls made to the Department of Public Safety.

Over the next few days, crews will complete work to add the larger signs and the “wrong-way arrow” pavement markings along 13 off-ramps at the six interchanges, including three exits available to drivers at the Interstate 17 interchange at Carefree Highway (State Route 74).

The changes are being made at the following freeway interchanges:

  • Interstate 17 and Carefree Highway (State Route 74)
  • Loop 101 (Agua Fria) and Thunderbird Road
  • Loop 101 (Agua Fria) and Peoria Avenue
  • Interstate 10 and Ray Road
  • Interstate 10 and Wild Horse Pass Boulevard
  • Interstate 10 and Queen Creek Road (State Route 347)

The larger “Do Not Enter” signs along the ramps are increased in size from 30 by 30 inches to 48 by 48 inches. Beneath them, the new “Wrong Way” signs measure 48 by 36 inches. In an effort to make them even more visible, the bottom of the lower signs will be located three feet from the ground, compared to the seven-foot clearance for wrong-way signs at most of the other state-highway interchanges.

It is not yet known how long the new signs and other changes will be studied before a decision is made about an expansion of the program to other state freeway or highway locations. There are more than 100 traffic interchanges on the Phoenix-area freeway system and more than 475 interchanges along the rest of the state highway system.

ADOT and other public safety agencies work in support of the three E’s of highway safety: engineering, education and enforcement. The sign changes and the addition of the reflective pavement marker wrong-way arrows are examples of near-term engineering steps ADOT can implement and study as part of an overall effort to reduce the risk of wrong-way drivers.

Manhunt Monday: Attempted murder suspect at large

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alejandro-narreraPHOENIX (CBS5) – A suspect wanted on charges of attempted homicide is on the loose and Phoenix police need help tracking him down.

Alejandro “Alex” Narrera, 23, allegedly shot a 17-year-old in the head after an argument on May 17.

The shooting took place at 4:19 a.m. in the area of 38th Avenue and McDowell Road. The teen survived but suffered critical injuries.

Narrera is described as 5’9″ tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has a tattoo of a pit bull on his shoulder and has an identical twin brother.

He was last seen driving a 2000 green Ford Expedition with Arizona plates “670-rhz.”

ADOT initiating recycling program at rest areas

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adot-logo-03aPHOENIX – Visitors to rest areas along state highways will begin to notice recycling containers onsite since the Arizona Department of Transportation started a recycling program at three rest areas with plans to expand it statewide.

The program involves partnering with recycling vendors to install 8-cubic-yard bins and smaller blue containers at the rest areas for travelers to use for their recyclable trash. The vendor will collect the recyclables at least once a week.

Rest areas currently participating in the program include McGuireville rest area along I-17, Hassayampa rest area along US 60 and Ehrenberg rest area along I-10 near the California state line.

“With each site visit I make to our rest areas, I see how necessary recycling is,” said Bobby Wheeler, rest area manager for ADOT. “There are large amounts of plastic bottles and aluminum cans tossed in waste receptacles that go to a landfill without first being separated. We need to do the right thing and ensure recyclable materials are actually getting recycled.”

One of the vendors that will be collecting recyclables at the McGuireville rest area works with Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde to provide jobs for developmentally disabled adults sorting plastics and aluminum.

“A crew comes from the Rainbow Acres ranch five days a week where five ranchers and two of our staff members will sort all of the plastics and cans,” said Jill McCutcheon, executive director of Sedona Recycles, Inc. “We couldn’t do the work without this great group of people.”

The rest area recycling program is being implemented at no cost to ADOT. The recycling vendors will be overseen by Infrastructure Corporation of America, the private entity which manages the operation and maintenance of the rest areas through a public-private partnership with ADOT. ICA has been supportive in getting the recycling program in place and operational.

As more recycling vendors across the state join in the program, more rest areas will be able to participate. ADOT’s goal is to implement this program at all rest areas along the state highway system.

“We are glad that we were contacted to provide recycling at the McGuireville rest area,” McCutcheon said.

ADOT Director Honored by Arizona-Mexico Commission

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jhalikowskiPHOENIX – At the recent Arizona-Mexico Commission plenary session, the organization recognized Arizona Department of Transportation Director John S. Halikowski for his work co-chairing the commission’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Ports Committee, spearheading the Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance, and for his keen understanding of infrastructure issues facing border communities.

This year, the Arizona-Mexico Commission awarded the Tony Certósimo Award to Halikowski, who, according to the group, “has committed to fostering improved relations with Mexico for numerous years. His leadership has advanced Arizona’s important cross-border agenda with Mexico and has embraced the mission of the Arizona-Mexico Commission in support of a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.”

During the award’s presentation, Arizona-Mexico Commission Executive Director Margie Emmermann applauded Halikowski for “understanding the marriage of infrastructure and economic development” and for championing this new vision throughout Arizona and beyond through his various Key Commerce Corridor efforts.

The award is given to an individual who embodies all that the Arizona-Mexico Commission strives to accomplish, according to the organization. The honor is named after the first executive director, who was influential in formalizing the Arizona-Mexico Commission by establishing its bylaws and developing the group as a nonprofit membership organization.

“John Halikowski deserves the Certósimo Award as he has embraced the mission of the Arizona-Mexico Commission to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life for all Arizonans though strong collaborations,” according to the nomination. “He has demonstrated this in his work and actions with all levels of the public and private sector on both sides of the border, and truly understands the importance of the relationship with Mexico for Arizona and sets the example for the agency he leads.”

The award was presented June 20 as part of the closing ceremonies for the semiannual meeting between Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and Sonora Governor Guillermo Padrés Elías.

“As the Arizona Department of Transportation turns its focus to the Key Commerce Corridors for the state, the critical linkages between Arizona and Mexico require attention and investment, not only for Arizona but for the entire U.S.,” Halikowski said. “I’m honored to receive this award, which reflects the good work being done every day at ADOT to improve all of our critical connections that support economic development and prosperity.”

New excuse: My dog kept me awake all night

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sleeping-with-dogPHOENIX – Along with the dog ate my homework, kids can now add the dog slept with me as an excuse why they are late for school. The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix conducted a study of sleep deprivation and claim a link to owners allowing pets to sleep with them. Some scientist warn of Zoonoses, or the transmission of disease from pets to owners from allowing pets to sleep in beds.

Web MD says 53% were disturbed by pet bedroom sharing. Medical Daily claims 63% have some sleep deprivation by sharing bed with a pet.

More than half of pet owners (54%) said they shared their bed or bedroom with their dog (58%) or cat (42%) Sowjanya Duthuluru, MD told MedScape. He said that is “quite a lot.” The Web MD site also cites:

Sleeping with pets isn’t unusual in this country. According to a recent survey of pet owners by the American Pet Products Association, nearly half of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds. The survey found that 62% of small dogs, 41% of medium-sized dogs and 32% of large dogs sleep with their owners.

Several stories quote Lois Krahn, M.D., Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and author of the study.

“The study determined that while the majority of patients did not view their pets intolerably disturbing their sleep, a higher percentage of patients experienced irritation — this may be related to the larger number of households with multiple pets. When people have these kinds of sleep problems, sleep specialists should ask about companion animals and help patients think about ways to optimize their sleep.”

She also noted:

“One patient owned a parrot who consistently squawked at 6 a.m. He must have thought he was a rooster.”

Could zoonoses explain the mental instability of Canadian actor James Eugene Carrey?

Could zoonoses explain the mental instability of Canadian actor James Eugene Carrey?

According to the document “Zoonoses in the Bedroom” by Bruno B. Chomel and Ben Sun (PDF)—which is not the title of the latest hot adult novel—transmission of disease from pets to human can occur from kissing animals on the mouth and sleeping with them. Particularly flea and tick infested animals.

During a 1974 outbreak of plague in New Mexico, USA, 7 cases of bubonic plague were investigated. One patient noticed flea bites the morning after he allowed his flea-infested cat to share his bed. Similarly, in a series of 23 cases of plague related to cat exposure, a 9-year-old boy from Arizona had handled and slept with a sick cat. Another case, which occurred in 1983 in New Mexico, was likely acquired after indoor/outdoor cats slept with the patient.

Listening to Ted Nugent is not the only way to contract Cat-Scratch Fever. The document stated that cat-scratch disease can be transmitted in the bedroom.

Cat-scratch disease is mainly transmitted to humans when they are scratched by a cat that harbors Bartonella henselae–infected fleas and flea feces. However, a few documented cases have been associated with sleeping or being licked by a household pet.

The report admits that zoonotic infections acquired by sleeping with a pet are uncommon and more cases of disease transmission are caused by kissing animals.

However, severe cases of C. canimorsus infection or plague in humans have been documented. More zoonotic agents that are transmitted by kissing a pet or being licked by a pet have been identified, especially zoonotic pathogens that are commensal in the oral cavity of carnivores, such as Pasteurella spp. and C. canimorsus.

The document recommends the common sense step regular veterinary visits. Immediate steps should be taken to rid pets of flea and tick infestations.

So the lesson here is that instead of telling the little dog to move over because A new dog’s movin’ in, you should just kick him out. Then spray the dog house.

Nighty-night.

See Also Science Daily, NBC News

Arizona’s redesigned driver license, new process now effective

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250px-port-driver-licensePHOENIX – Effective June 16, the newly designed Arizona driver license – and a new process to get it – are now in place.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has expanded the central credential issuance process to all offices statewide, meaning that customers visiting a Motor Vehicle Division or Authorized Third Party office to obtain a new driver license or identification card will leave with a temporary credential. The permanent license or identification card will be mailed to the customer and received within 15 days.

With a primary focus on protecting a customer’s personal information and protect against identity theft, ADOT has launched a new, high-security credential format. Arizona is following a change occurring across the nation by many states with the production of a driver license with a background that contains numerous security features. The previously designed photo background was very limited in its capability to contain viable security features.

“Our top priority is always customer safety and security,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “The new and improved security features better safeguard personal information. The updated issuance process has added steps for ensuring the license or identification card is delivered to the right person and helps prevent identity theft.”

There is no need for a customer to rush out to an office to obtain the new credential. A current driver license or identification card will remain valid until its expiration date – or at least until the 12-year mark when the photo needs to be refreshed. The price of a duplicate credential remains $12 for many customers.

Customers at ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices will no longer be issued a permanent or duplicate driver license or identification card at the end of the application process. The credential will instead be mailed to the address on the customer’s application. It is important to ensure the correct mailing address has been provided in order to receive the credential.

With the new central issuance process it is critical that customers keep their address updated with MVD. State law requires that residents notify the Motor Vehicle Division of an address change within 10 days, although the purchase of a new credential isn’t required. Address changes can be made online at ServiceArizona.com.

This central-issuance process has already been in place in 14 of ADOT’s offices in communities in Greater Arizona and in the Authorized Third Party offices that process driver licenses. Now the process has expanded to all offices statewide.

The temporary driver license or identification card contains a photo and the basic information that appears on the actual credential. As in other states that have moved to this process, the decision to accept the temporary credential as proof of identity exists solely with the organization requesting to see the license or identification card.

The process of central credential issuance is used by most states around the country and is a growing trend as states transition to higher-security credentials.

For at least 12 years, there will be more than one valid Arizona driver license and identification card.

Security features of the new credential include:

  • A larger primary portrait with a smaller redundant ghost portrait ensuring customer appearance is clearly reflected.
  • A high-security, design comprised of unique Arizona geological features in the background created through the use of Guilloché innovative symmetry.A Guilloché design involves techniques consisting of intricate, repetitive patterns that are interwoven to guard against counterfeiting, altering or other fraudulent use, making for a more secure credential.
  • A laser perforation in the shape of Arizona, which when held up to the light is used to quickly authenticate the credential.
  • Tactile date of birth field to assist in authenticating the credential using the sense of touch. The date in this field will have a raised feel to it.
  • Tri-color Optically Variable Device consisting of the state outline, the state name “Arizona,” the state seal, a saguaro cactus and a star. This laminate overlay provides the final layer of the credential and provides one more feature for authentication.
  • The ringtail, declared the state mammal in 1986, is illustrated on the front of the new credential. Ringtails, found throughout the state, are cat-sized carnivores resembling a small fox with a long raccoon-like tail.