Daily Archives: January 4, 2017

ADOT hosting public meetings about transportation study on SR 89 between Chino Valley and Paulden

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The Arizona Department of Transportation is studying a 13-mile segment of State Route 89, between Road 3 North in Chino Valley and two miles north of Bramble Drive in Paulden. The purpose of this long-range planning study is to identify future roadway improvements as funding becomes available.

ADOT needs your input, and for your convenience the following public meetings have been scheduled:

  • Paulden Area Community Organization (PACO) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Paulden Christian Fellowship Church, 165 Aspen Road, Paulden
  • Chino Valley Town Council Meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, at council chambers, 202 N. State Route 89, Chino Valley
  • Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Meeting at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1015 Fair St., Prescott
  • Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization (CYMPO) Board Meeting, 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 1015 Fair St., Prescott

(Note:  The same information will be covered at each meeting.)

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. Persons who require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact Tricia Lewis at 928.606.2420 or email tlewis@azdot.gov.  Requests should be made as early as possible to ensure the state has an opportunity to address the accommodation. 

De acuerdo con el título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA por sus siglas en inglés), el Departamento de Transporte de Arizona (ADOT por sus siglas en inglés) no discrimina por raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, género o discapacidad. Personas que requieren asistencia (dentro de lo razonable) ya sea por el idioma o por discapacidad deben ponerse en contacto con Tricia Lewis al 928.606.2420 o por correo electrónico al TLewis@azdot.gov. Las solicitudes deben hacerse lo más pronto posible para asegurar que el equipo encargado del proyecto tenga la oportunidad de hacer los arreglos necesarios. 

For more information about this study, please call Tricia Lewis, Senior Community Relations Officer, at 928.606.2420 or email tlewis@azdot.gov.

Rumour has it there’s a winner for favorite 2016 safety message

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PHOENIX – An Adele-inspired message struck a chord when ADOT Blog followers voted on their favorite safety slogans of 2016.

“Hello from the other side, buckle up & stay alive,” which appeared on electronic message boards in August, had received more than 3,300 votes as of Wednesday, Jan. 4.

The runner-up was “Gobble, gobble go easy on the throttle,” which got roughly 3,200 votes. “Mash potatoes not your head, buckle up,” another Thanksgiving weekend offering, was third with more than 3,000 votes.

The informal online poll launched Dec. 28 had participants give thumbs-up or thumbs-down to 10 safety slogans that appeared on ADOT message boards this past year.

ADOT posted more than 30 targeted safety messages during 2016.

ADOT’s Facebook page offered a chance for participants to sound off on messages that didn’t make the list of finalists. The most common complaint: not seeing Stars Wars-themed messages, including those timed with the release of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” such as “Join the rebellion against distracted driving.”

Other top-rated messages were “Pokemon Go is a no-go when driving” and “Designated drivers make the best New Year’s dates,” both with around 2,800 votes, and “Dumb drivers and smartphones don’t mix,” with about 2,700 votes.

We’re leaving the poll up, and who knows what the future may bring. But since some people have asked us for a winner, here you go.

Kaibab National Forest plans pile burns on Tusayan and Williams districts

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WILLIAMS – Fire managers plan to burn piles on the Tusayan and Williams ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest tomorrow and Friday. The piles are the result of forest restoration efforts, and the goal of burning them is to further reduce fuels that could feed high-intensity wildfire.

Tusayan Ranger District

Tusayan Ranger District fire managers plan to burn piles scattered within a 100-acre area tomorrow and Friday just west of the Town of Tusayan and Grand Canyon Airport. The piles have cured over the last two years and are expected to consume quickly. Winds on Thursday are expected to be from the southwest, which would push any smoke produced toward the northeast. However, fire managers anticipate that any smoke impacts to Tusayan or the airport would be very light. At night, downslope wind is expected to move smoke west away from Tusayan and the airport. On Friday, winds are predicted to be from the northeast, which should push any smoke produced southwest away from developed areas. No smoke impacts are anticipated for Tusayan or the airport Friday. No road or trail closures are expected.

Williams Ranger District

Williams Ranger District fire managers plan to burn piles scattered within a 52-acre area tomorrow and Friday near Kunde Knoll, about 8 miles south of Williams. Smoke is expected to drift to the north and northeast during the day and will be most noticeable in the immediate area surrounding the pile burn during ignitions and for a few hours afterward. Smoke impacts to any developed areas or nearby communities are expected to be light.

Also on Thursday and Friday, Williams fire managers plan to burn the single, large natural debris pile at Three Sisters Cinder Pit, located north of Cataract Lake about two miles northwest of Williams. Smoke is expected to be pushed north and northeast during daytime hours, away from Williams. However, light smoke may be noticeable in the northern portions of Williams during overnight hours.

No road or trail closures are expected with either pile burn on the Williams Ranger District.

General Information

Implementation of any particular prescribed fire, including a pile burn, is dependent on weather and fuel conditions including winds, temperature, humidity, moisture of the vegetation and ventilation conditions for dispersal of smoke. All prescribed fires are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division and to view prescribed burn authorizations for any given day, visit http://www.azdeq.gov/programs/air-quality-programs/smoke-management.

In the interest of safety, visitors are always reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed fires, as firefighters, fire-related traffic and smoke may all be present.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fires are provided regularly throughout the year. Members of the public can find this information through the following sources:

Blasting resumed in January on State Route 77

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PHOENIX – Daytime blasting to remove potentially hazardous rocks resumed yesterday in an effort to protect workers and motorists along State Route 77 south of Globe. SR 77 will be closed in both directions between mileposts 154-161 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday through Thursday.

In addition, lane closures are expected each work day from 7-10 a.m. and from 3-5 p.m. Drivers should expect delays of about 15 minutes during those times. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until March.

ADOT crews had been working at night to remove rocks that could have fallen along SR 77 near Dripping Springs. The work was switched to the safer daylight hours after a loosened 18-foot limestone boulder fell 150 feet and landed on the roadway on November 30.

The incident underscored the risk for construction crews and the potential hazard to motorists. In addition to the instability of the rock face that is being removed, blasting creates flying rock that could be dangerous to workers, especially in the dark between sunset and sunrise.

During the closures, drivers can travel SR 177 and US 60 between Globe and Winkelman. That route will add about 20 miles to the trip.

As with any work zone, drivers are asked to drive slowly and cautiously in the work area and watch for construction workers and equipment.

Out-of-State travelers should be aware that Arizona Revised Statute 28-710 §B. provides for double fines for speeding through a marked highway work zone.