Monthly Archives: February 2017

Williams to host next public workshop for Grand Canyon National Park Airport Master Plan

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WILLIAMS – The master plan study process for Grand Canyon National Park Airport, owned and operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public information workshop Wednesday, February 15, in Williams.

Those attending the open house, to be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Williams Unified School District, 636 S. Seventh Street, can review and comment on the study team’s forecast of aviation demand, assessment of current airport facility capabilities and suggested facility improvements to meet anticipated demand over the next 20 years.

The Federal Aviation Administration requires airports to update master plans every 10 years.

The Grand Canyon Nation Park Airport Master Plan Study began in fall 2015. The current phase of the study is evaluating two alternatives for enhancing the safety and efficiency of the airport, along with a no-build alternative. The next phase, anticipated to launch in the spring, will present a preferred development concept for the airport.

In addition to public meetings, comments and questions can be provided to the study team online at azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan, by phone at 800.574.6334 or by mail to Grand Canyon Airport Master Plan Study, c/o Coffman Associates, 4835 E. Cactus Rd., Ste. 235, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

For more information on the Grand Canyon Airport and the master plan study, please visit azdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan.

Vendors wanted for 2017 Coconino County Fair

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Parks and Recreation is currently accepting vendor applications for the 2017 Coconino County Fair, to be held September 1 to 4, 2017 at Fort Tuthill County Park. Vendors may submit applications for amusement, food, commercial businesses and non-profits.

First review of applications will take place in March 2017.

To promote local products and services, an early bird rate is being extended to Coconino County-based, commercial vendors. Interested business owners and operators are encouraged to submit a vendor application by May 31 to take advantage of a 50 percent early bird discount for non-premium outdoor locations on the fairgrounds. Non-profit vendors and food vendors are not eligible for early bird rates.

Vendor applications are available on the Coconino County Parks and Recreation’s website at Coconino.az.gov/CountyFair.

Tree trimming work on northbound State Route 89 in Chino Valley next week

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CHINO VALLEY –Maintenance crews will be trimming tree branches within the state right-of-way on northbound State Route 89 in Chino Valley between Center Street and Perkinsville Road (mileposts 327 to 329), weather permitting. Work is scheduled to last from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14.

The work is necessary to keep tree branches from falling into the roadway, presenting a safety hazard to drivers. The right lane will be closed during work hours. Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Parade route for Gold Rush Days in Wickenburg requires closure of US 60 on Saturday

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WICKENBURG – Due to this weekend’s 69th annual Gold Rush Days celebration, US 60 in downtown Wickenburg (mileposts 107-110) will be closed in both directions on Saturday (February 11) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should expect delays or adjust travel plans accordingly. Traffic will be rerouted through a clearly marked detour.

Eastbound traffic on US 60 will be detoured to Vulture Mine Road to US 93 and US 93 southbound to reconnect to US 60.

Westbound traffic on US 60 will be rerouted to the US 93 bypass northbound, US 93 to Vulture Mine Road and Vulture Mine Road back to US 60.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

Survey looks to measure off-highway vehicle financial impact

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PHOENIX — The popularity of off-highway vehicles (OHV) has exploded throughout the state and, Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are turning to OHV enthusiasts to help shape the future of the activity statewide.

With 365 riding days per year, scenic trails and great weather, Arizona continues to draw OHV enthusiasts from across the country to access our motorized trails. To better plan for the future of the activity statewide, Arizona State Parks and Trails partnered with Arizona State University to produce an economic impact study to measure the broad effect the activity has in our state.

“Having a better understanding of spending behaviors, travel trends and trail needs will aid State Parks and our partners to provide enhancements to the statewide trail system, programs, and information to OHV users,” said Skip Varney, State Parks State OHV Coordinator.

Over the next 12 months, the public is invited to complete a survey, either electronically at www.azstateparks.com/OHV or at various riding areas throughout the state. The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes to complete, however only completed surveys can be used in the reporting process.

“There are nearly limitless riding opportunities and Arizona offers some of the best views available,” said Nathan Gonzalez, AZGFD public information officer. “In addition to guiding future trail development, the results of this survey are vital to helping AZGFD anticipate current and future safety and education program needs. Our goal is to ensure our education methods are adequate to meet the needs of our growing OHV community.”

The economic impact study was last completed in 2002 and found that OHV recreation in Arizona had a $4.25 billion impact. In addition, the activity supported nearly 37,000 jobs, contributed to $1.1 billion in household incomes and added $187 million to annual state tax revenues.

To participate, please click here to complete the survey.

For more information on OHV riding in Arizona and to take an online safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/OHV.

Fire Managers Urge Public Not To Fly Drones Over or Near Wildland Fire Operations

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WILLIAMS – Kaibab National Forest officials along with all federal, state, and local wildland fire agencies are reminding members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over or near wildfire or prescribed fire operations at any time.

With fire season rapidly approaching, land managers are taking a proactive approach to alert recreationalists and forest users of the inherent dangers of flying drones near fire management activities. Unauthorized UAS flights can potentially cause serious accidents, disrupt aerial firefighting operations, and pose significant safety hazards to both the public and personnel working in the air and on the ground.

Air tankers and helicopters are valuable resources used to rapidly curtail the spread of unwanted wildfires that can often be very difficult to suppress. They are sometimes the deciding factor in successfully stopping a fast moving wildfire. These aircraft typically fly at very low altitudes and UAS interference can instantly stop operations requiring air resources to be grounded due to the potential for a midair collision. Unforeseen intrusions of this nature impede suppression efforts and compromise the safety of firefighting personnel. The impending consequences have the potential to threaten communities and endanger lives.

With interest and popularity rising steadily in this recreational activity, documented incidents of drone incursions on wildland fire incidents have doubled over the last two years and trends are indicating more of the same as the numbers of UAS sales continue to climb.

A number of websites are available to the public to obtain more information about UAS safe practices and Federal Aviation Administration requirements. For guidance see http://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

Also, available is a UAS awareness campaign called “If You Fly, We Can’t” designed to keep UAS pilots away from airspace used by firefighters. See: https://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/uas.html.

To learn more or to report a safety-related UAS event, got to the FAA’s Aviation Safety Hotline website at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aae/programs_services/faa_hotlines/

Pony Express re-enactment will travel along state highways this week

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PHOENIX – Motorists traveling between Holbrook and the East Valley may see Pony Express re-enactment riders carrying mail along state highways from Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Friday, Feb. 10, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Departing from Holbrook at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Hashknife Pony Express riders will stop at post offices in Heber-Overgaard, Payson and Fountain Hills en route to their final destination in downtown Scottsdale. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse has been staging this 200-mile ride for nearly 60 years.

Law enforcement officers will provide a safety escort for the riders, who hand off the mail bags every mile of the relay route. The riders travel along the edge of the highway or shoulder.

Motorists should not stop along the highway to photograph riders.

The Pony Express will travel along State Route 77, SR 377 and SR 277 to reach the Heber-Overgaard post office around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. They will take SR 260 from Heber to Payson, with a scheduled arrival at the post office about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Pony Express will take SR 87 to reach the Fountain Hills post office about 3 p.m. The final leg on Friday, from Fort McDowell to downtown Scottsdale, takes them south on SR 87 to the Arizona Canal, where riders will head west.

More information on this event is available at HashknifePonyExpress.com.

Williams City Council meeting Thursday February 9

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WILLIAMS – The council meeting will begin with normal pledge, invocation and roll call. The public participation period will follow allowing five-minute input on a subject concerning the City of Williams. If more than five-minutes is required, the speaker should note that on the sign-in sheet and the presiding officer may, but is not required to, grant more time.

After the approval of purchase orders and the check register for month ending January 31, 2017, the council will consider:

  • Resolution No. 1342 to authorize refinancing of GADA 2005, 2008 and Zions 2010
    bonds into series 2017
  • Resolution No. 1343 to consummate the agreement between the City and Route 66
    Auto Care LLC including acceptance of title to real property by the City
  • Council will consider and may approve financial support to the Parents Who Care
    Committee for Grad Night in 2017

The council will convene to executive session for discussion and possible action regarding potential settlement in RKID v. City of Williams. The Council may vote to enter into executive session pursuant to ARS §38-431.03(A)(3) for legal advice or (A)(4) for negotiations in pending litigation.

They will re-convene to regular session and may take action on executive session items before adjourning.

Your turn to write clever highway safety messages

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PHOENIX – Arizona, show us your creativity. It might save a life.

You’ve seen the quirky safety messages the Arizona Department of Transportation displays on overhead signs – remember “Hello from the other side, buckle up and stay alive” and “New year, new you, use your blinker”?

Now, ADOT is kicking off its Safety Message Contest, and the winning safety slogan will appear on signs statewide. Beginning today, safety messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest until Feb. 19.

ADOT began placing unconventional safety messages on overhead signs more than a year ago in an effort to kick-start a change in social acceptance of impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving and other dangerous driving behaviors.

“At ADOT, we bring up the example of imagining someone walking into a preschool and lighting up a cigarette,” said Kevin Biesty, ADOT Deputy Director for Policy. “Forget that it’s illegal; it’s completely socially unacceptable. No one would ever even think to do that and if they did they’d be ostracized. That’s what we want to see happen to drivers that choose to make roads less safe for all of us. Tell them it’s not OK and it can’t happen anymore. We want to get to a point where impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and aggressive driving are socially unacceptable and the messages ADOT displays on signs are a good way to start those conversations.”

Many of the messages ADOT displays on overhead boards relate to driver behaviors, which are among the leading factors in crashes that result in fatalities and serious injuries. Other messages remind motorists to “Move Over,” wear seat belts, look out for motorcycles and more.

When creating your messages – submit as many as you like! – follow these guidelines:

· Signs accommodate three lines and 18 characters, including spaces, per line

· #Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed

· Signs can’t accommodate emoji

After Feb. 19, ADOT will review submissions and select 15 messages to advance to the next round. In March, we’ll post the finalists on our website and let the public decide the winner.

The winning message will appear on Dynamic Message Signs for two days in April.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with. Have fun and good luck!

Two ADOT snowplows damaged by vehicles in January storms

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PHOENIX ‒ Three Arizona Department of Transportation employees working to keep highways open in recent storms avoided serious injury when vehicles struck two ADOT snowplows in separate crashes. The drivers of the other vehicles came out fine as well.

One of the plows wasn’t so lucky, however, when a semi rear-ended and severely damaged it Jan. 21 on Interstate 40 near Seligman. In addition to sending the two ADOT employees aboard to the hospital with minor injuries, the crash hindered ADOT’s efforts to clear snow and ice along that route.

In the other crash, an SUV suffered serious damage Jan. 19 when it hit a snowplow clearing State Route 89A between Prescott Valley and Jerome. The plow and its operator were able to continue working, but only after losing precious time dealing with the crash.

“During storms, drivers need to slow down and give plows plenty of space,” said Alvin Stump, district engineer in ADOT’s Northwest District, where both of the incidents occurred. “Plows require a large work area to remove snow.”

It isn’t easy driving a snowplow on slippery roads with limited visibility, and other drivers make that job dangerous when they don’t give ADOT’s operators plenty of room to work. So respect the plow! It starts with staying at least four car lengths behind and never passing a working plow until the operator pulls over to let traffic by.

Gabriel Alvarado, who has plowed Interstate 40 for 13 years out of ADOT’s Seligman operation, said he likes seeing a line of vehicles making the sensible decision to follow his snowplow.

“It’s the best possible scenario to have a plow right in front of you,” he said.

But several times during a 12-hour shift a passenger vehicle or semi will make the ill-advised decision to pass Alvarado’s snowplow in an unplowed lane, raising the potential for a collision.

“Sometimes it gets really, really close,” Alvarado said.

Alvarado said it isn’t uncommon for him to later come upon those who’ve passed him stuck in the snow after sliding off the roadway.

Other tips from ADOT’s snowplow drivers:

· Never assume a snowplow operator knows you are nearby. If you can’t see the plow driver, there is a good chance the driver can’t see you.

· Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility, and spreaders on trucks throw de-icing agents or sand that can damage vehicles, so stay back.

· Leave space when stopping behind a snowplow. The driver might need to back up.

· If approaching an oncoming snowplow, slow down and give the plow extra room.

· Just because a plow has been through the area, drivers shouldn’t assume the roadway is completely clear of snow and ice.