Category Archives: Arizona Department of Transportation

ADOT reopens routes to lakes in the White Mountains

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PHOENIX — Three routes to lakes in the White Mountains have reopened after winter closures, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

They are: State Route 261 between Eagar and Big Lake; State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake; and State Route 473 between State Route 260 and Hawley Lake.

Before heading off to enjoy the mountains, motorists should do the following:

• Make sure all occupants in a vehicle are buckled in.
• Check tire pressure, fluids and more to make sure a vehicle is in proper running condition.
• Be patient, including not following other vehicles too closely and building in extra travel time.
• Get enough sleep before the trip.
• Bring extra water and food.
• Never drink and drive.
• Check for information about highway restrictions and more by visiting az511.gov, calling 511 or following ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

Phoenix to host second public hearing for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Program

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to gather comments for its proposed five-year construction program by reaching out to the public and communities statewide for their input on which projects should move forward over the next few years.

The second public hearing for the 2017-2021 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, April 15, at the ADOT Administration Building Auditorium, 206 S. 17th Ave. in Phoenix. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow the public hearing.

For this Tentative Five-Year Program, ADOT was able to recommend a few more expansion projects for Greater Arizona because of additional funding through the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, as well as a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. These projects, aimed at enhancing key freight corridors in Arizona, otherwise would have remained in ADOT’s Development Program as projects not starting until six to 10 years out.

Among ADOT’s suggestions to move forward on a quicker timeline are two Interstate 10 widening projects in Pinal County (segments at State Route 87 to Picacho Peak and Earley Road to Interstate 8), two widening projects along US 93 and the State Route 347 railroad overpass project in the city of Maricopa. The SR 347 project received a $15 million TIGER grant and a $15 million local contribution to add to ADOT’s $19 million commitment.

Facing growing statewide needs and limited transportation funding from traditional sources, ADOT remains committed to preserving the existing state highway system, which is valued at more than $20 billion. ADOT’s proposal meets its goal of $260 million per year dedicated to preservation work, such as bridges in need of upgrades and pavement in need of repair.

The 2017-2021 Tentative Program is available for public review and comment at azdot.gov/fiveyearplan, where a “how to read it” guide is available. ADOT welcomes feedback through Survey Monkey at surveymonkey.com/r/CJY36HY, email at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov and by calling 1-855-712-8530. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. on May 30.

The public comment period includes three public hearings around the state. The State Transportation Board will then make its decision in June about what will be in the final 2017-2021 Five-Year Program.

Here are details for the two remaining public hearings and the State Transportation Board’s June meeting. The first public hearing was held in Oro Valley last month.

  • April 15 at 9 a.m.: Public hearing and board meeting in the ADOT Administration Building Auditorium, 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix.
  • May 20 at 9 a.m.: Public hearing and board meeting in the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.
  • June 17 at 9 a.m.: Board meeting in the City of Holbrook Council Chambers, 465 First Ave., Holbrook

Intermittent closures scheduled for bridge work on SR 89 at Hell Canyon

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Crews are expected to work on the bridge structure on State Route 89 at Hell Canyon (mileposts 345 to 346) that will require intermittent closures of up to 10 minutes at a time starting on Tuesday (April 12) through Thursday (April 14) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Traffic will be guided through the work zone with flaggers as SR 89 will be reduced to one lane on the bridge.

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

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 511.

Recycle bins rejoice: Innovation moves ADOT bid process from paper to PDF

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PHOENIX — Who says doing business with a government agency has to involve lots and lots and lots of paper?

Thanks to improvements to how the Arizona Department of Transportation presents project opportunities online, contractors’ recycle bins are getting lighter. Those interested in bidding for projects now can simply determine which projects they want to pursue and download related documents.

It replaces a process that was more than a little heavy on paper, requiring contractors to drive to ADOT and pay for copies of construction plans and specifications. For example, bidders hoping to work on a six-mile section of Loop 303 several years ago hauled away more than 1,700 pages of plans.

“This is another example of our commitment using the latest technology to continuously improve processes and create better experiences for our customers,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said.

The improvement is saving both ADOT and contractors time and money. While contractors had paid a fee to help cover ADOT’s printing costs, the agency often wound up with more stacks of plans than bidders.

For contractors, the innovation also eliminates the need to scan 24-by-36-inch plan sheets. This saves time and effort, making it easier to do business with ADOT ‒ and to do business in general.

“The benefits are numerous, from the simple ability to look at plans quickly and assess whether the job is a fit without having to have plans mailed or have a runner go down to pick them up,” said Carlos Gonzalez, executive vice president of Rummel Construction, a member of the Arizona chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. “It makes it easier for general contractors to get plans distributed to subcontractors, allowing more time to develop comprehensive bids.”

The new system, available at azdot.gov/business (see Contracts and Specifications > Current Advertisements), went live in February with the help of ADOT Contracts and Specifications and Information Technology Group team members. In addition to including a variety of plan documents and other important information, the site allows contractors to receive automatic notifications of any project changes.

Steve Boschen, director of ADOT’s Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division, said that while ADOT is still determining exactly how much the improved process will save the state in direct printing and labor costs, it’s already providing better customer service to Arizona contractors and subcontractors.

“We’re excited to have a new process that will make it easier for contractors to do business with ADOT,” he said.

ADOT equipment shops recognized for reducing environmental impact

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PHOENIX — The Tucson facility where the Arizona Department of Transportation repairs and maintains its vehicles has significantly reduced the amount of trash it generates by recycling scrap metal, batteries, automotive fluids, paper and more. Converting to LED lighting has reduced energy use.

Along with ADOT’s repair facility in Springerville, the Tucson operation has been recognized through the agency’s Green Shop program, which seeks to minimize environmental impact, cut waste and increase recycling at 22 ADOT Equipment Services locations.

“We’re reducing the cost to the state because we’re keeping waste down,” said Nathan Carroll, the fuel, scales, environmental and training manager for ADOT Equipment Services. “The end result is increasing productivity. For the taxpayer, that’s a good thing.”

The Green Shop program began in 2006 with a best-practices manual offering guidelines on subjects including keeping shops clean and organized for efficient operations and properly containing spills. It has become an important part of daily operations at all ADOT service shops.

More than 40 government agencies contract with ADOT Equipment Services, including the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, police departments and school districts. The shops perform preventive maintenance and major repairs on light trucks, snowplows, watercraft, snowmobiles, school buses and more.

Every two years, one full-service shop and one satellite location are honored following three inspections, one of which is unannounced, to see how operations are following the Green Shop guidelines.

An event to honor the Tucson operation was held April 8. An April 18 ceremony is scheduled at the Springerville facility.

Tell us how you get around and help chart Arizona’s transportation future

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How do you get around, Arizona?

Spend a little time sharing what takes you from place to place and you’ll help inform how we all get around in the future.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration are asking households, most of them outside of metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, to participate in the National Household Travel Survey. Up to 30,000 Arizona households, chosen at random, will be contacted by letter over the next year.

It’s important that as many households as possible participate because the answers will help state, local and federal officials decide when, where and how to invest limited transportation funding to improve roads, public transportation, sidewalks, bike paths and more.

“Taking part in the National Household Travel Survey requires just a few easy steps with one purpose: We want to hear your travel story,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Your answers are valuable no matter how you get from place to place.”

For those who aren’t invited to participate in the National Household Travel Survey, ADOT has created an online survey available at azdot.gov/NHTS. Information gathered through this survey will also help create a more valuable transportation system for all.

The National Household Travel Survey, conducted every five to seven years, provides an essential snapshot of transportation behaviors and trends by asking how members of a household get around on one day.

Participation, which is voluntary, starts with filling out a brief survey that comes with the invitation letter and returning it in a prepaid envelope. That takes about 10 minutes. Participants receive travel logs to record where members of their household go on an assigned travel day. Then they provide the information online or by phone, a process that usually takes 20 to 25 minutes.

Using a federal grant, ADOT has commissioned extra survey responses from beyond the Phoenix and Tucson areas to learn more about travel behaviors and trends in rural Arizona. The goal is for about 80 percent of all participants to live beyond the Sun Corridor.

By law, all information provided is kept confidential, will be used only for research and cannot be sold. Names and other identifying information aren’t linked with the survey data used to create statistical summaries.

More information on the National Household Travel Survey and how it helps ADOT and all of Arizona is available at azdot.gov/NHTS.

Brief closures of US 60 and US 93 in Wickenburg for special event

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Due to a special event, the junction of US 60 and US 93 at the south roundabout in downtown Wickenburg will close briefly from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday (April 11) and again from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday (April 15).

The closures will allow more than 200 horses and riders participating in the 70th annual Desert Caballeros trail ride to cross US 60 the highway safely.

What to expect during the closures:

  • Eastbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to Tegner Street.
  • Westbound US 60 will be closed at milepost 110 prior to the Hassayampa River Bridge.
  • Traffic destined for northbound US 93 will be stopped at the westbound US 60 closure.
  • Southbound US 93 will be closed at the south roundabout prior to milepost 200.
  • The Wickenburg Police Department will enforce the closures and provide traffic control.
  • Drivers will need to wait for horses to pass through, no alternate routes suggested.

New roundabout on SR 89 at Perkinsville Road takes shape

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CHINO VALLEY — Over the past two months, crews with the Arizona Department of Transportation have been diligently working on construction of a new roundabout on State Route 89 at Perkinsville Road in Chino Valley.

In order to keep progress moving, crews will switch traffic over to the east side of the roundabout (weather permitted) on Friday (April 8) between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Drivers will remain in the new traffic shift for the next four weeks.

As a result of the traffic shift, drivers who wish to access Perkinsville Road on the west side of SR 89 will have to use the dedicated detour as the road will be closed to through traffic. Perkinsville Road (west side) will be open on the weekends and holidays but closed during work hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Drivers may have minimal impacts during work hours and 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.

This $1.5 million project consists of a new roundabout at the intersection of SR 89 and Perkinsville Road between mileposts 328 and 329. Additional work includes removal and replacement of existing pavement, drainage improvements, new pavement markings and lighting.

This project is expected to be complete by September.

Nightime restrictions needed on Milton Road (SR 89A) to test new overhead sign

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be testing the newly installed overhead electronic message signs on Milton Road (SR 89A), between University and Forest Meadows in Flagstaff. This work will require restrictions for southbound travel on Milton (SR 89A) during nighttime hours, Wednesday (April 6) from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Please observe reduced speeds and exercise caution while traveling through the work zone.

Electronic message signs span ADOT roadways and are used to help keep drivers informed of traffic, road and weather conditions.

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division rolling out Voluntary Travel ID

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is rolling out the state’s Voluntary Travel ID, a credential meeting federal REAL ID Act security requirements for access to airports, restricted federal buildings, military bases and more. It costs $25 and is good for up to eight years.

But there’s no reason to rush out and get one. Most people shouldn’t need the Voluntary Travel ID for another few years.

Here’s why: With the state now offering a credential that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it will consider current Arizona driver licenses and IDs valid through Oct. 1, 2020, for travel by commercial aircraft and access to secure federal facilities.

“With the availability of this new Travel ID, Arizonans have certainty around their ability to conduct business as usual when it comes to flying and accessing federal facilities,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen. “Now everyone has several years to decide if and when to replace their current license or ID with a Travel ID.”

Those applying for a first-time Arizona driver license or ID card can get a Voluntary Travel ID at any MVD office or at any of the 24 Authorized Third Party driver license providers around the state.

Beginning Friday, customers wishing to convert their current driver licenses to the Voluntary Travel ID at an MVD office must make appointments at ServiceArizona.com. To start, appointments can be made at eight offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff. More offices will be added over time.

Current driver license holders can also convert to a Voluntary Travel ID at any of the 24 Authorized Third Party driver license providers around the state without the need for an appointment.

To meet the REAL ID Act’s goal of making identity documents more consistent and secure, the Voluntary Travel ID design incorporates 39 security requirements. The most obvious is a star indicating that a credential is REAL ID-compliant. Each Voluntary Travel ID requires more documentation from an applicant and greater review than a standard Arizona credential, including checking information against additional databases to confirm an applicant’s identity.

Based on federal guidelines, to get an Arizona Voluntary Travel ID, an applicant must supply:

  • one document to establish birth or legal presence such as a certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or valid immigration documents;
  • one document to confirm Social Security information, such as a Social Security card or a W-2 form;
  • two forms of documentation to establish proof of residency such as a bank statement, utility bill or Arizona Voter Registration Card. All residency documents must have current address.

A full list of approved documents is available at azdot.gov/travelID.

Because state law gives residents the choice to get a Voluntary Travel ID, newly issued credentials that don’t comply with requirements in the federal REAL ID Act will be marked with the phrase “Not for federal identification,” as called for by the federal law. Even so, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said these credentials will still be accepted until Oct. 1, 2020.

For more information on the Voluntary Travel ID, please visit azdot.gov/travelID.

For more information on the REAL ID Act, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.