Category Archives: Arizona Department of Transportation

Arizona awarded $15 million federal grant toward Maricopa overpass

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has been selected to receive a $15 million federal grant toward the construction of a railroad overpass on State Route 347, the only direct route between the city of Maricopa and metro Phoenix.

The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Transportation is for a $55 million project intended to enhance safety and alleviate traffic backups at the SR 347 Union Pacific Railroad crossing in Maricopa.

Instead of waiting for trains to pass, motorists on SR 347 will be able to travel on an overpass above the tracks when ADOT completes the grade-separated interchange, which is slated for construction in fiscal year 2020. The new interchange also will offer better access for emergency responders.

ADOT and Maricopa officials have been working together for some time on a long-term solution for this crossing. After completing a feasibility study in 2007, ADOT partnered with the city of Maricopa to fund a design concept report and environmental analysis that began in 2012 and ultimately identified a preferred alternative.

“The reconstruction of the SR 347 interchange will enhance safety and address traffic congestion at the railroad crossing by allowing motorists, including emergency service vehicles, to pass over the tracks,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Maricopa has experienced explosive growth over the last decade and traffic volumes along this critical route will continue to climb, which is why this project has become a high priority for ADOT, Maricopa and regional transportation officials.”

More than 60 trains run daily through Maricopa – one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation – and that number is expected to grow.

“While this project has been a team effort, it would have been impossible without the ongoing support of Chairman Kelly Anderson and all the current and past members of the State Transportation Board,” Maricopa Mayor Christian Price said.

“I would also like to thank ADOT staff for their tireless work. They recognized the public safety importance and found the money in their budget, during one of the worst economic downturns, to keep this project moving forward.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation received 627 eligible applications totaling $10.1 billion, or 20 times the available funding, in requests for the seventh round of TIGER grants, which are awarded to transportation projects with significant regional or national impact. Approximately $500 million in funding was available.

Other Arizona projects that have received TIGER grants are:

  • 2010: $63 million for a modern street car project in Tucson.
  • 2012: $21.6 million for the rehabilitation of Interstate 15 Virgin River Bridge No. 6 in the far northwest corner of the state.
  • 2014: $2.9 million for the Tawa’ovi Community Streets project for the Hopi tribal community in northeastern part of the state.
  • 2014: $1.6 million for Central Phoenix Multimodal Transportation Improvement Plan.
  • 2015: $10.3 million for city of Phoenix Grand Canal bike and pedestrian improvements.

For more information on the SR 347 project, including a computer-generated video of the proposed grade separation, please visit: azdot.gov/sr347.

ADOT detectives break up fraudulent document operation

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PHOENIX — As part of its continuing efforts to safeguard your information, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Fraudulent Document Unit has broken up a criminal document operation in Phoenix.

Acting on a tip, ADOT detectives monitored the operation for two months and purchased fraudulent documents undercover. On Oct. 21, detectives located the manufacturing facility and apprehended Carlos Morales Alvarez, 34.

The unit seized manufacturing equipment, card stock used for Arizona credentials and credentials from other states, Maricopa County food handler cards and U.S. immigration documents. The suspect also had stolen identities for sale.

“I am grateful to ADOT detectives for their excellent work,” Governor Doug Ducey said. “The state has a commitment to protect Arizonans from identity theft, and those who partake in this crime and cause harm to our citizens will be prosecuted under the full extent of the law.”

ADOT detectives are still sorting through about 10 years’ worth of documents to determine how many identities were stolen. So far, they have identified and contacted six Arizona residents.

“With protecting our communities one of Governor Ducey’s top priorities, we are proud to be a state agency that safeguards the identities of Arizonans,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Our detectives work relentlessly to keep that information safe.”

The suspect, alleged to be in the U.S. illegally, is currently in custody and is being charged with more than 20 felony counts, including forgery, aggravated identity theft and trafficking in stolen identities.

The Fraudulent Document Unit is a part of the Office of Inspector General under ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division, which is primarily tasked with ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people, goods and services throughout the state. Certified peace officers are stationed at ports of entry and mobile inspection units along highways to check commercial vehicles.

The Office of Inspector General conducts criminal and administrative investigations involving all facets of ADOT operations, including title, registration and driver license fraud; titling of stolen vehicles; and licensed and unlicensed car dealers.

The Enforcement and Compliance Division assists other law enforcement agencies as needed.

To report suspected fraud related to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division documents, driver licenses, car dealers and criminal activity, visit azdot.gov/reportfraud.

ADOT MVD implements new scoring system in road test

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PHOENIX –– To speed up the behind-the-wheel testing process and better assess driver safety, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has implemented a new scoring system for the preliminary portion of the road test that will save time and allow for more road tests per day.

Many Arizona drivers will remember having three attempts to parallel park or perform a three-point turn with a straight “pass” or “fail” grading system. Now, the person taking the test has one attempt to park with the grading based on a point system.

“What we need to know is whether the driver can properly maneuver the vehicle,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen. “We adjusted the test to obtain that information in one attempt and it has resulted in a time savings of three to four minutes per test.”

A time savings of three or four minutes cuts down on the number of minutes another customer has to wait to take the road test. It adds up to a couple of hours over the period of a day at busier MVD offices, allowing for more road tests to be given.

With the new grading scale, the person taking the road test will accumulate points for each infraction during the vehicle maneuverability test. Some infractions include not parking within the box, hard braking or difficulty maneuvering the vehicle and changing direction of travel once the vehicle pulls into the space. If the person accumulates eight or more points, they will not pass the maneuverability test and fail the entire road test. Most infractions are worth two points.

MVD staff provides the test-taker with clear instructions on the vehicle maneuverability test and what constitutes infractions, before the parking exam begins, to ensure the person knows exactly what’s expected.

There’s still time to comment on ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study

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PHOENIX — A long-discussed plan for a proposed passenger rail system linking Tucson and Phoenix has many more hurdles to clear, starting with where the money would come from. An important first step, however, is sharing your opinion on it.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on an environmental report detailing three alternatives for passenger rail, including a recommended route.

The deadline for comments is Friday, Oct. 30.

The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, which ADOT developed in partnership with the

Federal Railroad Administration, considers two possible routes to identify the most appropriate rail corridor between Tucson and Phoenix. It also assesses the option of not building passenger rail.
finalalternatives_commoncorridors_2013june27
The recommended route, the Yellow Alternative, would pass through the East Valley and central Pinal County. It could, where appropriate, share right of way with the Union Pacific Railroad north of Eloy.

An Orange Alternative would pass through the East Valley and share part of its alignment with the planned North-South Freeway Corridor in Pinal County.

Both routes would run primarily within the I-10 corridor between Eloy and Tucson.

A No-Build Alternative assumes that all proposed highway projects currently funded within the study corridor would be built.

Additional environmental work and site-specific studies would be required before a rail system could be constructed. It will be up to the public, stakeholders and policymakers to decide whether the project should move forward and, if so, how to pay for it.

The Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is available for download at azdot.gov/passengerrail (use the DEIS tab). A video summarizing the studies is at youtu.be/rI8j6e2-CB0. Printed copies are available for review at these locations:

  • ADOT, Research Center Library; 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix, 85007
  • Phoenix Public Library, Burton Barr; 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85004
  • Chandler Public Library, Downtown Branch; 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, 85225
  • Gilbert Maricopa County Library District, Southeast Regional Library; 775 N. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, 85234
  • Pima Community College, Northwest Campus Library; 7600 N. Shannon Road, Tucson, 85709
  • Central Arizona College, Signal Peak Campus Library; 8470 N. Overfield Road, Coolidge, 85128

Comments also may be submitted via the ADOT website at azdot.gov/passengerrail, emailed to projects@azdot.gov, or mailed or faxed to:

ADOT Passenger Rail Study Team
c/o Central Creative
24 W. Camelback Rd., Ste. 479
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Fax: (602) 368-9645

For more information about ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study, visit azdot.gov/passengerrail.

Utility work on State Route 89 in Prescott scheduled tomorrow morning

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CHINO VALLEY — State Route 89, at milepost 309, near Hidden Valley Road in Prescott will be restricted to one lane tomorrow, Oct. 21 between 8 a.m. 9:30 a.m. for utility work. Drivers can expect minimal delays during work hours.

The closures will provide a safe work zone as APS crew’s trim vegetation around power lines.

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. Law enforcement personnel will be present to enforce the closures as they occur.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Oct. 20-22

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SUPERIOR — 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 separate full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes:

> Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
> Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
> Thursday, Oct. 22, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.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. ADOT anticipates highway closures for blasting into December.

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.

Blasting on State Route 69 in Prescott scheduled tomorrow and Tuesday

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State Route 69 in Prescott, between Prescott Lakes Parkway and Lee Blvd., will be closed tomorrow, Oct. 8 and Tuesday, Oct. 13 for up to 15 minutes between 6:25 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. for blasting.

The closures will provide a safe work zone for blasting operations as part of a development project adjacent to SR 69 near the Ranch at Prescott.

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. Law enforcement personnel will be present to enforce the closures as they occur.

Vegetation clearing on US 180 to begin tomorrow

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FLAGSTAFF — Travelers heading on US 180 north of Flagstaff should allow for extra travel time while ADOT crews perform vegetation clearing operations for a one-mile stretch just north of Shultz Pass Road (mileposts 219 to 220). This operation will clear out damaged and unwanted trees and requires a lane closure and occasional 10-minute roadway shutdowns during removal activity. The work will take place Monday through Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and be in effect during the weeks of October 5th and October 12th.

Drivers are asked to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations, use caution and observe reduced speeds while maintenance is being performed in the area.

US 60 east of Superior to close briefly for blasting operations Oct. 6-8

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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 separate full closures of US 60 for up to 90 minutes:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 8, 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 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.

Immediately prior to each blast, crews need to set the concrete barrier for that blast and additional delays are possible.

ADOT anticipates the highway will be closed at least once per week for blasting for up to three months. As blasting continues there will be a lesser impact on traffic and delays will be reduced.

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.

US 93 traffic switch planned for Thursday north of Wickenburg for widening project

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to make considerable progress on an improvement project to widen and upgrade a five-mile segment of US 93 between State Route 71 and State Route 89, just north of Wickenburg.

On Thursday, Oct. 1, crews are scheduled to switch both directions of traffic to the newly constructed southbound lanes. As crews make preparations for the planned traffic switch, motorists may be stopped intermittently for up to 15 minutes at a time between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 1.

While one travel lane will remain open in both directions, motorists should continue to be prepared to allow 10 to 15 minutes extra travel time through this segment (mileposts 185-190).

Once the traffic switch is complete, ADOT will begin work to repave and restripe the existing northbound lanes.

ADOT began this expansion project in February to widen US 93 from two lanes to a modern, four-lane divided highway. The $12.5 million project is expected to be completed in November.

Once completed, ADOT will move one step closer to the agency’s ultimate goal of transforming the entire 200-mile stretch from Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge into a modern, four-lane divided highway.

Since 1998, ADOT has invested more than $350 million in projects to upgrade the US 93 corridor, which stretches from Kingman to the Nevada state line and Wickenburg to Interstate 40 (a 23-mile segment of I-40 east of Kingman connects the north and south sections of US 93).

Currently, all but 46 miles of the 200-mile drive (more than 75 percent) from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line has been upgraded to a four-lane divided highway in an effort to improve traffic flow, support the movement of freight and enhance safety through this heavily traveled area.