Tag Archives: Phoenix

Fire equipment vendors invited to information session

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The USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region announces an information meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. MST via video teleconference at Forest Service offices throughout Arizona.

The meeting will discuss a variety of topics including:

  • How to become a government vendor
  • How to locate and respond to solicitations through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system
  • How to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment

In fiscal year 2016, the Southwestern Region is seeking competitive quotations for Water Handling Equipment, which includes Engines, Support Water Tenders, and Tactical Water Tenders with trained operators to support wildfires during the course of a three-year agreement.

Interested vendors can obtain copies of the solicitations at https://www.fbo.gov. Type VIPR into the keyword search box and press Search to obtain a list of VIPR solicitations from all over the country. Look for the ones from the Southwestern Region, Region 3. You can also search on Solicitation No. AG-8371-S-16-7000.

Vendors can attend the meeting at any of the following Arizona locations:

Apache-Sitgreaves NFs — Supervisor’s Office
30 S. Chiricahua Drive, Springerville, AZ

Coconino NF — Supervisor’s Office
1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ

North Kaibab Ranger District
430 South Main Street, Fredonia, AZ

Prescott Fire Center
2400 Melville Road, Prescott, AZ

Tonto NF — Supervisor’s Office
2324 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ

Tucson Fire Center
2646 E. Commerce Center Place, Tucson, AZ

For information about VIPR go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php or contact Anne Weiskircher, Region 3 Fire Contracting Officer, at aweiskircher@fs.fed.us.

ADOT plans to test prototype wrong-way vehicle detection system in Phoenix area

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PHOENIX — After completing a comprehensive study of wrong-way driving crashes on state highways and how technology may help reduce the threat, the Arizona Department of Transportation is planning a prototype project to use existing highway sensors to detect wrong-way vehicles and to alert authorities and other motorists.

ADOT Director John Halikowski said the study sets the stage for the agency to develop and test a unique and innovative system to detect and track wrong-way drivers, improving opportunities for law enforcement officers to respond.

“While there are tremendous challenges in trying to prevent often-impaired drivers from entering a freeway in the wrong direction, we’re looking at a unique system to detect these vehicles quickly and warn Arizona state troopers, ADOT and other drivers,” Halikowski said.

ADOT’s study, which started in January, helped ADOT identify Interstate 17 in the Phoenix area as the best place to establish a prototype system. Initially planning to use a 3- to 4-mile stretch of the interstate, the agency will determine an exact location for the test system as it is developed in the coming year.

The prototype system, as currently envisioned, would enhance in-pavement freeway sensors that now detect traffic traveling in the right direction to also track vehicles going the wrong way. Such detections would alert ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center and the Department of Public Safety to the location of a wrong-way vehicle.

“We believe this will be a first-of-its kind system featuring the use of our in-pavement traffic sensors to track wrong-way vehicles,” Halikowski said.

The system also would include separate wrong-way vehicle detectors on freeway on-ramps within the test area, as well as technology to quickly post warnings on overhead message boards for drivers going the right way. Existing freeway on-ramp traffic signals, known as ramp meters, also would display a solid red light to hold traffic from entering the freeway when a wrong-way vehicle is detected.

A key goal of a prototype system is significantly improving alerts for law enforcement, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety, compared to relying on information relayed by 911 callers.

“There is no 100 percent solution for wrong-way driving, especially when impaired drivers are involved,” said DPS director Colonel Frank Milstead. “But if technology can be used to quickly notify our state troopers of a wrong-way driver, we can work to reduce the risk of a tragedy.”

ADOT has taken extensive steps already to address the threat of wrong-way driving, including installing hundreds of larger and lowered “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs on more than 100 on-ramps along Phoenix-area freeways and rural state highways. Countermeasures also have included large white “right way” arrows on dozens of off-ramps. The arrows are outlined with red reflectors that glow red toward wrong-way drivers.

On several freeway off-ramps, ADOT in the past year also has begun testing different versions of wrong-way vehicle detection and warning systems manufactured by private companies. Some of that technology is expected to be incorporated into the future prototype system.

ADOT’s study also pointed to a societal problem that no technology can address: the role of impaired driving in wrong-way crashes. Two out of three wrong-way crashes on Arizona highways from 2004 to 2014 involved impaired drivers.

“Technology alone cannot prevent all wrong-way tragedies, but ADOT’s study and prototype for detecting and warning us about wrong-way drivers represent a positive next step,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “In addition to engineering, enforcement and education, there’s another ‘E’ to consider. It stands for everyone. We all need to work harder to keep friends, family and strangers from driving while impaired.”

From the study

• From 2004 through 2014, there were 245 wrong-way crashes with 91 fatalities in Arizona.
• About 65 percent of wrong-way drivers in Arizona crashes were documented as impaired during the study period, compared to 5.4 percent among all crashes.
• Twenty-five percent of Arizona’s wrong-way crashes were fatal, compared to less than 1 percent of all crashes.
• Fifty-three percent of wrong-way crashes were on urban divided highways and 47 percent occurred on rural divided highways.
• Interstate 17’s 39 miles in the Phoenix metro area had 26 wrong-way crashes during the study period and the most confirmed wrong-way crashes and fatal wrong-way crashes per mile in the state.
• Among rural areas, SR 89A in the Verde Valley had the highest rate of wrong-way crashes per mile, with three wrong-way crashes over 14 miles.
• Interstate 10 near Quartzsite had three fatal wrong-way collisions along a 16-mile stretch during the study period.
• Wrong-way crashes were more common after dark. Wrong-way crashes were more common on weekends.
• The majority of wrong-way drivers in Arizona were ages 16 to 35.
• Sixty-five percent of wrong-way drivers were male, 25 percent were female and 10 percent were documented as gender unknown.
• There was no significant difference between Arizona’s figures and national figures on wrong-way crashes.

ADOT’s Thanksgiving safety message: Be patient, don’t speed when out on state’s highways

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PHOENIX — Make sure you pack some patience and play it smart when heading out on the highways for Thanksgiving weekend.

Doing so could save your life, as last year’s was the deadliest Thanksgiving weekend on state highways and local roads in the past decade. The toll a year ago: 18 people killed, six of them in crashes involving impaired drivers.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and other safety agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, are urging drivers to keep their speed in check, buckle up and avoid distractions, especially texting while driving.

To help holiday travelers and promote safety, ADOT won’t allow any construction-related closures along state highways over the Thanksgiving weekend. The agency will be working to help DPS, local fire and medical emergency agencies and towing companies respond to incidents along state highways as quickly as possible.

ADOT will position heavy equipment, trucks and crews at locations along several of the state’s busier travel highways starting Wednesday, Nov. 25. For example, equipment such as front loaders and incident-response trucks will be positioned along Interstate 17 in the Anthem area south of Black Canyon City, Interstate 10 near Queen Creek Road southeast of Phoenix and along State Route 87 at the Saguaro Lake turnoff north of Fountain Hills.

On ADOT’s electronic signs along highways, travelers will see messages about slowing down and driving sober.

Drivers also should get a good night’s rest before traveling, check their vehicles’ tire pressure and be prepared for unscheduled closures due to crashes or disabled vehicles. Staying up to date on weather conditions and packing an emergency preparedness kit, with items such as blankets, flashlights, extra clothes, drinking water and snack foods, is another smart idea.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Nov. 24

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PHOENIX — Motorists traveling along US 60 between Phoenix and Globe next week need to plan ahead or allow extra time as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues blasting work as part of an improvement project to build a new passing lane and widen roadway shoulders east of Superior, approximately 65 miles east of downtown Phoenix.

The construction of the two-mile-long climbing lane from Devil’s Canyon to Oak Flat (mileposts 231-233) will require two full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes on Tuesday, Nov. 24:

> The first closure is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
> The second closure is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and westbound US 60 will be stopped at the Top of the World, west of Miami (milepost 235) until the blasting work is completed and the roadway is reopened after all debris is cleared. Law enforcement officers will be stationed at each closure to assist with traffic control.

Approximately 30 minutes prior to each blast, motorists should be prepared for possible delays and lane closures as crews set concrete barrier prior to each scheduled closure.

Motorists seeking an alternate route can consider state routes 77 and 177, which is approximately 68 miles long. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, can also take State Route 87 through Payson and travel east on State Route 260 as an alternative.

ADOT will work to minimize the traffic impacts as much as possible, including scheduling some nighttime work.

There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide-load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zone. Flaggers and pilot cars will be used at different times throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for construction equipment and personnel, and allow extra time for your commute.

For more information on the project, please visit azdot.gov/us60oakflat.

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety grants boost ADOT crash data efforts

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PHOENIX — Grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety are enabling the Arizona Department of Transportation to improve collection of crash data from law enforcement agencies around the state.

Grants of $508,600 for federal fiscal year 2015 and $106,000 for federal fiscal year 2016 continue to address what had been a cumbersome process of manually reviewing volumes of documents received and then entering them in a database. ADOT is responsible under state law for compiling crash data and creating comprehensive reports from it that government agencies, nonprofit groups and other entities statewide use to improve traffic safety.

The grant funding is allowing ADOT to help more agencies make use of an online system for submitting crash data.

“The grant awards received from the GOHS supports ADOT’s initiative to improve the process of collecting crash data,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT is proud to be at the forefront through the use of technology to process the crash data received from reporting law enforcement agencies and create vital reports that become the source for making Arizona streets and highways safer.”

The first grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety directly supports work performed by the ADOT Traffic Records Unit to develop reports from the crash data. The second further supports the agency’s electronic reporting efforts.

“Being partners with ADOT and other agencies in state government produces results that can be used to coordinate highway safety programs throughout Arizona and is a model of cooperation in this administration,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is the focal point for highway safety issues in Arizona. The cabinet agency provides leadership by developing, promoting and coordinating programs; influencing public and private policy; and increasing public awareness of highway safety.

ADOT earns ‘Owner of the Year’ award from engineering magazine

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PHOENIX — Noting the agency’s significant contributions to the state’s economy through partnerships with contractors, Engineering News-Record Southwest magazine has honored the Arizona Department of Transportation as Owner of the Year for its management of infrastructure projects.

The honor, presented recently during the publication’s annual awards luncheon in Phoenix, also highlighted how ADOT benefits Arizonans and works with Arizona’s construction industry.

“As an agency we are proud to have received this honor,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Our employees deserve a lot of credit for working through the challenges presented by the economic downturn last decade. Transportation is such an important part of the state’s economic engine.”

The publication cited the ongoing $110 million Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway widening project in Mesa and the $73 million widening of Loop 101 in the Scottsdale area as examples of major infrastructure improvements. Both projects, designed to accommodate future traffic growth, are slated for completion next year.

“ADOT’s commitment to working with the contracting industry to resolve challenges and to build strong working relationships is one of the best in the country,” Sundt Construction Inc. CEO Mike Hoover told ENR Southwest. “In fact, ADOT has led the nation in its innovative partnering strategies since the early 1990s.”

The magazine also recognized ADOT for its $25 million reconstruction of US 89 south of Page after a 2013 landslide, naming it Best Highway/Bridge Project and winner of the annual Excellence in Safety award.

Award honors ADOT’s commitment to diversity in business

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation is being honored for its commitment to diversity in business relationships with suppliers and contractors.

The Arizona Million Dollar Circle of Excellence award, presented by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency, recognizes organizations whose practices support small businesses owned by minorities and women.

“This agency is grounded in the values of accountability, integrity and respect,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The commitment to diversity recognized by this award speaks to one core way we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards.”

Gonzalo A. de la Melena Jr., president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said Hispanics impact every segment of Arizona’s economy, including the transportation infrastructure.

“So we’re pleased to have a partner in the Arizona Department of Transportation as we promote diversity in hiring, promotion and the supply chain pipeline,” he said.

Those selected for this honor have helped disadvantaged business enterprises earn more than $1 million in the past year. In ADOT’s case, the contracts were worth more than $25 million.

“ADOT employees have worked extensively to connect with the diversity of Arizona’s business community,” Halikowski said. “In addition to informing about potential bid opportunities, they educate firms about how to do business with ADOT.”

ADOT will receive the award today in Phoenix at the Business Diversity Summit organized by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency.

ADOT, Arizona benefit from armed forces Transition Assistance Program

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PHOENIX — With more than 300 employees having served in the U.S. armed forces, the Arizona Department of Transportation is an active participant in the federal Transition Assistance Program connecting those leaving military service with jobs.

“Thank you to all veterans whose sacrifice allows all of us the privilege of living in a free country,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “If you are preparing and looking forward to continuing your public service, we invite you to help create and maintain a transportation system that meets today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.”

The Transition Assistance Program, created by a 2011 law and administered by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, helps service members develop comprehensive plans to pursue education, search for jobs or start businesses after their military careers. Its training program, known as Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success), includes a mandatory five-day workshop and additional days of optional training depending on an individual’s chosen career path.

ADOT is a fixture at employment fairs organized by the Transition Assistance Program at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale. As part of that, ADOT created a step-by-step guide for military personnel interested in applying for employment with state agencies.

As of June, 334 ADOT employees identified themselves as veterans.

“The skills and accountability that come with military experience allow ADOT to better provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation system that improves the quality of life in this state,” Halikowski said.

For more information about the Transition Assistance Program administered by the U.S. Air Force, please visit www.afpc.af.mil/lifeandcareer/transition.asp.

Arizona Highways comes up big in prestigious magazine awards

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11737953_10153070228646852_4089567091217152843_nPHOENIX — Arizona Highways (Facebook) was a big winner in the International Regional Magazine Association awards for 2014. The magazine, produced by the Arizona Department of Transportation, picked up 16 awards, including seven top honors, at a recent ceremony in San Diego.

John Burcham’s “Long Exposure,” a September 2014 portfolio for which Burcham photographed Bismarck Lake near Flagstaff for an entire year, won gold in the Photo Series category. Editor Robert Stieve took home a gold award for that portfolio’s headline, and Burcham won silver in the Photographer of the Year competition.

Other 2014 gold winners were for the magazine’s January cover, which featured a shot from the Vermilion Cliffs; Jack Unruh’s illustration of a jaguar (April); Charles Bowden’s “Counting Sheep” (February), an essay about bighorn reintroductions in the Santa Catalina Mountains; Joel Grimes’ portrait of a rodeo announcer (August); and Matt Jaffe’s “Two Men and a Truck” (November), a travelogue from the Navajo Nation.

Arizona Highways’ 16 total awards were the second-most in the competition, behind only Texas Highways’ 17. The seven golds were tied for the most with Down East: The Magazine of Maine.

In addition, Arizona Highways Publisher Win Holden received the Kenneth L. Gibbs Award for Merit, the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Arizona Highways captures the essence of this state’s exquisite landscapes and byways while promoting Arizona’s brand around the world,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “While we are proud of the individuals who earned these awards, we’re even more proud of Arizona Highways’ role in this agency’s mission of moving Arizona and its economy forward.”

The International Regional Magazine Association was founded in 1960 to support and promote regional magazines in the United States and elsewhere.

Founded in 1925, Arizona Highways is dedicated to promoting travel to and through the state of Arizona. In addition to the world-renowned magazine known for spectacular landscape photography, Arizona Highways publishes travel guide books, calendars and other products to promote travel in Arizona. The magazine has subscribers in all 50 states and more than 110 countries.

For more information about Arizona Highways please visit arizonahighways.com.

Gold Awards

‒ Nature & Environment: “Counting Sheep,” Charles Bowden, February 2014
‒ Travel Feature: “Two Men and a Truck,” Matt Jaffe, November 2014
‒ Head and Deck: “Long Exposure,” Robert Stieve, September 2014
‒ Photo Series: “Long Exposure,” John Burcham, September 2014
‒ Portrait Photo: Rodeo announcer (The Journal), Joel Grimes, August 2014
‒ Illustration: Jaguar (Spotted in Southern Arizona), Jack Unruh, April 2014
‒ Cover: Vermilion Cliffs, Barbara Glynn Denney, January 2014

Silver Awards

‒ Public Issues: The Verde, Terry Greene Sterling, March 2014
‒ Single Photo: Monument Valley (A Picture’s Worth … Eh, Let’s Skip the Words), Enio Lanaro, April 2014
‒ Magazine Photographer of the Year: John Burcham
‒ Department: The Journal, Arizona Highways Staff
‒ Special Focus: Winter issue, December 2014
‒ Companion Website: Arizona Highways Staff

Awards of Merit

‒ Service Article: “On the Edge,” Robert Stieve, July 2014
‒ Essay: “A Winter’s Walk,” Craig Childs, January 2014
‒ Art Direction of a Single Story: “French Impressions,” Barbara Glynn Denney, Keith Whitney and Jeff Kida, August 2014

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program – 2016 Request for Proposals is Open

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On November 3, 2015 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced an RFP for this public-private partnership, funded in part by EPA’s Wetlands and Urban Waters Programs and the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and in conjunction with the Urban Waters Federal Partnership.

Approximately $2.1 million in combined total funding will be available to support projects such as stormwater management, addressing water scarcity, source water protection as well as wetlands, riparian, forest and water quality protection and restoration projects in local communities especially underserved communities across the country. In 2016, the Urban Waters Federal Partnership will give special consideration to projects which directly advance priorities of the 19 Urban Water Federal Partnership designated locations. For more information the priorities of the 19 designated locations, go to: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/news-about-urban-waters#projectbackgrounds.

The geographic boundaries of the designated locations can be found in the RFP on the NFWF website.

NFWF will host a webinar for potential applicants on November 18, 2015. This RFP closes February 3, 2016.

For more information go to www.nfwf.org/fivestar.