Category Archives: Arizona Department of Transportation

ADOT division focuses on efficiencies in operating, sustaining a reliable transportation system

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PHOENIX — As traffic demands continue to grow across the state, the Arizona Department of Transportation is becoming more efficient and innovative in operating and sustaining a transportation system that touches the lives of nearly every Arizonan.

In streamlining its overall structure, ADOT is shifting several core functions into the Transportation Systems Management and Operations Division (TSMO). The move allows ADOT to better manage current infrastructure while looking ahead to the use of emerging technologies that can enhance the mobility of people and products.

The TSMO Division includes a variety of traffic safety and operational programs, including roadway-safety improvements, traffic-signal systems, pavement conditions and crash response. It also includes technology used to manage congestion, such as ADOT’s growing network of highway traffic-flow sensors, overhead message boards and closed-circuit cameras operated from the agency’s Traffic Operations Center in Phoenix.

“Governor Ducey has challenged state agencies to adopt practices for daily improvement and this is one of our answers,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “By proactively maximizing the capacity of our entire system, our efforts stretch the investment taxpayers are making in transportation. By focusing on the whole system, rather than individual corridors, movement and safety are optimized along today’s and tomorrow’s highways, especially with emerging technologies that will move us into the future.”

Today’s safety improvements can be relatively simple. An example is adding large freeway-number decals along a travel lane to help guide drivers when they’re approaching another freeway. Synchronized traffic signals are another example. Tomorrow’s technological innovations likely include electronic variable speed limit signs that adjust to traffic conditions.

TSMO Division employees also are involved in coordinating agency resources when ADOT prepares and responds to winter storms like the recent ones that impacted much of the state. ADOT partners with other safety agencies to reopen any closed highways and get traffic moving again as quickly as possible.

The focus on efficiency includes ADOT’s recent move to consolidate the number of its engineering districts around the state from 10 to seven. The agency also has reduced its number of full-time employees from more than 4,500 in 2008 to fewer than 3,900 today. In an age of making the most of limited transportation funding, ADOT has joined the short list of state transportation departments that have made transportation system management and operations part of their organizations.

“We’ve understood for some time that you can’t just build your way out of congestion,” said ADOT Assistant Director Brent Cain, who leads the TSMO Division. “We’re evaluating all of our functions, as well as safety and operational processes, to determine new approaches and efficiencies to maximize the capacity of our existing highways and other infrastructure. We’ll be better prepared for the future, while working even more closely with the Department of Public Safety, local police and fire departments, emergency-response agencies as well as counties, cities and towns. The goal is to bolster the reliability of the current system while we add efficient future improvements.”

One of ADOT’s other divisions also is involved in the agency’s transition. It has taken on a new name. The former Intermodal Transportation Division, which designs, constructs and maintains the state’s highway system, is now the Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division (IDO).

“Providing system reliability, while developing strategic improvements to our infrastructure is critical to Arizona’s economy,” Assistant Director for Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Steve Boschen said. “This name more accurately describes what our employees do on behalf of our customers. We focus on those who depend on our work to get them where they need to go. It really is about infrastructure delivery and operations.”

SR 89 reduced to one lane at Hell Canyon tomorrow for bridge work

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hell canyonState Route 89 north of Prescott at Hell Canyon (milepost 345) will be narrowed to a single lane from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 13 as crews repair potholes on the existing bridge deck.

The lane closure will provide a safe work zone and drivers will be delayed for up to 20 minutes at a time.

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

ADEQ, ADOT and Keep Arizona Beautiful Host Free Environmental Resources Roadshow in Wickenburg

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PHOENIX —Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Keep Arizona Beautiful (KAZB) staff will conduct an “Environmental Resources Roadshow,” where attendees will learn about ways to improve their local environment.

Wickenburg
Thurs., Jan. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Wickenburg Council Chambers
155 N. Tegner St.
Wickenburg, AZ 85390

The Environmental Resources Roadshow partnership encourages community members, business people, elected officials, government agencies, and school representatives in Wickenburg and the surrounding area to attend one of the no-cost, two-hour events. Following brief presentations, attendees can engage in open dialogue and participate in a question and answer session.

Topics

> ADEQ: successful recycling programs such as electronic waste and food recovery
> ADEQ: how communities can benefit from ADEQ’s brownfields grants and technical expertise
> ADOT: volunteer process for adopting sections of Arizona highways for litter cleanup
> KAZB: statewide litter prevention, recycling and beautification programs

If you are interested in the Environmental Resources Roadshow presenting in your community in 2016, please call one of the listed contacts.

US 60 east of Superior to temporarily close for blasting operations Jan. 12 and 14

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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 three full closures of US 60:

· Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
· Thursday, Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and traffic on 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 barriers 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.

Litter Hotline delivers reminder that trashing Arizona costs us all

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PHOENIX — Those who litter along Arizona highways can face fines up to $500. But those fortunate enough to have fellow motorists rather than law enforcement see them may wind up getting a letter warning about the harm litter causes – and a litter bag.

In partnership with Keep Arizona Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit organization that empowers citizens to care for their environment through litter prevention, recycling and beautification, the Arizona Department of Transportation maintains a Litter Hotline allowing the public to report those who trash our highways. Providing a vehicle’s license plate number and other details to 1-877-3LITTER, or through an online form on Keep Arizona Beautiful’s website at kazb.org, results in a cautionary letter being sent.

About 1,500 letters go out each year. Nothing is shared with law enforcement, and those reported have no points added to their driver licenses.

“Besides harming Arizona’s land, water and quality of life, littering along highways is a significant cost to ADOT and, in the end, to all of us,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “While those who litter deserve what they get if caught by law enforcement, a gentle reminder through the Litter Hotline can make someone think twice about tossing something out the window.”

In the Phoenix area alone, highway maintenance crews pick up enough litter each year ‒ about 1.2 million pounds in all ‒ to fill more than 111,000 garbage bags.

In addition to the Litter Hotline, ADOT combats litter through its Adopt a Highway programs. Adopt a Highway volunteers can apply for two-year permits to clean up roadside litter, or businesses can contract with maintenance providers to perform the work as part of the Adopt a Highway sponsor program.

US 60 east of Superior to temporarily close for blasting operations Jan. 5-7

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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 four full closures of US 60:

• Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (This will be a three-hour closure.)
• Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Traffic on eastbound US 60 will be stopped east of Superior (milepost 227) and traffic on 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 barriers 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.

ADOT-ASU partnership will provide real-time weather information

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PHOENIX — With weather updates important to traffic flow and the safety of motorists, an innovative partnership between the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona State University will provide real-time forecasts to those managing our highways.

Beginning in January, a meteorology graduate student from ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning will work as an intern in ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center, helping crews respond rapidly to winter storms and other weather challenges to clear highways and potentially prevent closures.

“This is an exciting step forward for public safety,” said Brent Cain, assistant director for ADOT’s Transportation Systems Management & Operations division. “This will allow us to have better information about weather conditions so we can more quickly determine how to deploy our crews and communicate with the public. All of that will make Arizona roads safer.”

Randy Cerveny, ASU President’s Professor in the School of Geographic Sciences and Urban Planning, said the setup also will allow top students to experience how meteorology can provide service to people in many areas.

“Most people only think of meteorologists on television, but by far most meteorologists work in settings like this one,” Cerveny said. “This is a real-world, real-time application of meteorology in a way that can help people all across Arizona.”

Paul Panhans, a first-year meteorology student and U.S. Air Force veteran, will begin working with ADOT in January. He said his experience interning with the National Weather Service will allow him to work closely with that agency.

“I will liaise with the National Weather Service and add in my own work to provide ADOT with the best possible weather forecasting,” Panhans said. “I expect to be able to help with such things as visibility, wind and freezing precipitation.”

South Mountain Freeway to be constructed as public-private partnership

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has selected a preferred developer for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, which remains on track for construction to begin in summer 2016 as the largest-ever highway project in the state.

This is the first highway public-private partnership in Arizona. While the South Mountain Freeway will not be a toll road, the public-private partnership will allow ADOT to construct the project at an accelerated pace and at a lower cost.

After an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal was submitted in 2013, ADOT sought proposals from qualified teams vying to develop the 22-mile-long freeway, which is the last piece of the Loop 202 system and a critical direct link between the West Valley and East Valley. From the five initial proposals submitted, three finalists were selected after a qualifications assessment to advance in the selection process.

Following an extensive review that included representatives from ADOT, Federal Highway Administration, Maricopa Association of Governments and city of Phoenix, Connect 202 Partners was chosen as the “best value” developer. Key members of the development team include Fluor Enterprises Inc., Granite Construction Co. and Ames Construction Inc., with Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. as the lead designer.

All three teams participating as finalists in the process were encouraged to use innovation and develop alternative concepts to save time and money, while adhering to all environmental commitments. The goal is to create an innovative public-private partnership that will have a private developer design and construct the freeway, as well as maintain the new highway for 30 years.

This public-private partnership will reduce costs to taxpayers while accelerating construction. Typically, a project of this magnitude would be split into several smaller projects, but the South Mountain Freeway will be completed as a single project by one contracting team.

“While ADOT has successfully built and managed hundreds of miles of freeways in the Phoenix metropolitan area, following a public-private partnership path for the first time was an appropriate tool for the South Mountain Freeway,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “ADOT will be able to complete this much-needed project sooner as a result, while increasing the likelihood of saving taxpayer dollars.”

ADOT is expected to finalize the contract with Connect 202 Partners by mid-February. Construction is expected to take up to four years to complete.

“The South Mountain Freeway is a critical piece of the MAG freeway program,” said Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane, chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council. “The freeway has been included in the voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan since 1985 and will provide improved mobility for residents in the MAG region. The design, construction and maintenance of the freeway by a private developer is a unique and innovative approach to delivering this important project.”

The South Mountain Freeway will be constructed with four lanes in each direction – three general-use lanes and one HOV lane – and include modern features including rubberized asphalt and aesthetics designed in partnership with the community.

State Route 261 and State Route 273 in White Mountains closing Dec. 28

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State Route 261 and State Route 273, to the Big Lake recreational area in the White Mountains region, will close for the winter beginning on Monday, Dec. 28, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The highway is closed annually for the winter months due to the significant amount of snowfall the region typically receives.

SR 261 and 273 will be reopened in the spring, along with other local highways that are closed annually during the winter.

Detectives, technology helping ADOT protect customers’ information

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PHOENIX — When the Phoenix Police Department suspected that a man in custody for drug and weapons violations had assumed someone else’s identity, it sought assistance from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General.

ADOT detectives determined that man’s correct identity, confirmed he’d stolen the identities of two others and found that he was a sex offender who failed to register as required by state law for the past two years. He now faces additional charges of forgery and identity theft as well as having weapons charges upgraded to prohibited-possessor status.

Another recent case involving the Office of the Inspector General started when an application for credentials from ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division raised suspicions. Detectives determined the applicant had fraudulently applied through the use of a stolen identity and also was being investigated by the U.S. State Department for fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport.

The key in both cases: ADOT investigators, supported by technology such as facial-recognition software, detected identity theft as part of their mission of protected Arizonans’ privacy and information.

“The outstanding investigative skills of the Office of the Inspector General are recognized nationally and internationally,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The implementation of various technologies like facial recognition and the investigative processes that uncover fraud have furthered the capability of the agency to protect the privacy and personal information of Arizona credential holders.”

These efforts complement those of ADOT Motor Vehicle Division customer service representatives, who are trained to detect forgery and fraud and perform the first checks for discrepancies in application packets. The recent adoption of facial-recognition technology enhances the screening process by allowing checks against customer records in the state’s driver license database, preventing fraudulent attempts to obtain a driver license or identification card.

As Arizona’s main agency issuing a driver license or identification cards, ADOT often is called on to aid local, state and federal law enforcement agencies dealing with cases that may involve forged identification documents and identity theft.

“Detectives with the Office of the Inspector General are highly skilled in conducting cases relating to identification documents, and we’re proud that those skills help agencies beyond ADOT protect Arizonans’ information,” Halikowski said.

ADOT’s Office of the Inspector General conducts investigations into fraudulent activities involving driver license/identification card applications, vehicles sales by licensed/unlicensed dealers, vehicle title/registration and providing investigative support to state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.