Category Archives: Unelected Officials

Overnight work on two paving projects on I-17 continues this week

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The Arizona Department of Transportation has two improvement projects on Interstate 17, both south of Camp Verde, which will require overnight restrictions for drivers this week.

Drivers will be restricted to one lane southbound on I-17 through the climbing lane project (mileposts 280 to 282) Monday through Wednesday (May 12 through 14) between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly. Minimal delays expected.

At the State Route 169 junction (milepost 278) crews will close I-17 in both directions and drivers will be required to use the off- and on-ramps at SR 169 to continue around the work zone. Work will occur overnight starting tonight through Thursday, May 12 through May 15, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

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.

Bridge rehabilitation project on I-40 near Ash Fork is underway

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ASH FORK – Motorists traveling along Interstate 40 near Ash Fork should be prepared for lane restrictions now through early October for a bridge rehabilitation project.

The work includes rehabilitating 10 bridge decks between the West Ash Fork traffic interchange and the East Ash Fork traffic interchange, which is between mileposts 143 and 148). This week crews have begun installing temporary traffic control barriers. The crew is also installing detour crossovers prior to working on the eastbound bridges.

Working hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 7 a.m. to noon. One lane will remain open in each direction, the speed limit will be reduced and drivers should be alert for construction vehicles and flaggers. A 12-ft. width restriction is also in place.

This fall crews are scheduled to be completed with work on the eastbound bridges. The $5 million project will then go in to a winter shutdown until spring 2015, and then warmer weather will allow for work to continue on the westbound bridges.

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.

Flagstaff to host third public hearing for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Construction Program

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold its third and final public hearing for the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program next week in Flagstaff in order to gather comments from the public and communities on the direction of the program over the next five years.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 9 in the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave. in Flagstaff. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow the public hearing.

The 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program is available for public review at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram. Comments can be submitted until May 20 online or by email at fiveyearprogram@azdot.gov.

The Five-Year Program is updated every year and serves as a blueprint that details where, when and how regional, state and federal funding will be spent for projects over the next five years to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure. This includes highways, bridges, transit and aviation.

Much like the current Five-Year Program, the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program reflects a major focus on preserving the existing state highway system to keep it in good repair, while moving some programmed projects forward. ADOT must prioritize projects due to stagnant revenue from the gas and vehicle license taxes and from decreased federal funding — all of which support the Five-Year Program. Last year, ADOT cut $350 million from the 2014-2018 Five-Year Program because of substantially decreased revenue dedicated to transportation. No additional funding cuts are forecast for the 2015-2019 Five-Year Program; however, overall state and federal transportation funding continues to be flat.

The 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program includes a three percent increase in preservation spending over the 2014-2018 Program, with a steady increase in preservation funding over the next 10 years. Preserving the system means protecting our investment of $18.4 billion, the estimated value of the state highway system. The funding for the 2015-2019 Tentative Five-Year Program looks like this:

  • Greater Arizona: $1.8 billion over five years (60 percent for preservation, 11 percent for expansion and 29 percent for modernization)
  • Maricopa County region: $1.7 billion over five years
  • Pima County region: $349 million over five years
  • Aviation: $1.1 billion over five years

Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales tax increases.

The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 20. The board is expected to adopt the final 2015-2019 Five-Year Program at the June 13 meeting in Willcox. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the City of Willcox Council Chambers, 300 W. Rex Allen Drive in Willcox.

ADOT to launch new driver license process, design

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new-driver-license-designPHOENIX – Coming soon to your wallet or handbag: a newly designed Arizona driver license – and a new process to get it.

Beginning June 16, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is expanding central credential issuance to all offices statewide, meaning that customers visiting a Motor Vehicle Division office to obtain a new driver license or identification card will leave with a temporary credential. The permanent license or identification card will be mailed to the customer, and received within 15 days.

Coupled with that, ADOT is launching a new, high-security credential format. Both changes are designed to protect against identity theft.

“As part of the new central credential issuance process, a redesigned driver license and identification card is being introduced,” said Stacey Stanton, director of ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. “The redesigned credential contains enhanced security features to safeguard personal information and help prevent identity theft. The complexity of the new credential, and the security features and processes in place, don’t make it feasible to produce the permanent credential in offices for same-day issuance.”

Even with the new license design, there is no need to rush out to an office. A current driver license or identification card will still be valid until its expiration date – or at least until the 12-year mark when the photo needs to be refreshed. The price of a duplicate credential remains unchanged at $12 for many customers.

Customers at ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices will no longer immediately be issued a new permanent driver license or identification card at the end of the application process. The credential will instead be mailed to the address on the resident’s application. It is important to ensure the correct mailing address has been provided in order to receive the credential.

“With the new central issuance process it is critical that customers keep their address updated with MVD,” Stanton said. State law requires that residents notify the Motor Vehicle Division of an address change within 10 days, although the purchase of a new credential isn’t required. Address changes can be made online at ServiceArizona.com.

This process has already been in place in 14 of ADOT’s offices in communities in Greater Arizona and in the Authorized Third Party offices that process driver licenses. This change will expand it to all offices statewide.

The temporary driver license or identification card will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the actual credential. As in other states that have moved to this process, the decision to accept the temporary credential as proof of identity exists solely with the organization requesting to see the license or identification card.

The process of central credential issuance is used by most states around the country and is a growing trend as states transition to higher-security credentials.

For at least 12 years, there will be more than one valid Arizona credential format.

Security features of this new credential include:

A larger primary portrait with a smaller redundant ghost portrait ensuring customer appearance is clearly reflected.
A high-security design comprised of unique Arizona geological features in the background created by using many different patterns, lines and images. This provides the overall look of the credential.
A laser perforation in the shape of Arizona, which when held up to the light is used to quickly authenticate the credential.
Tactile date of birth field to assist in authenticating the credential using the sense of touch. The date in this field will have a raised feel to it.
Tri-color Optically Variable Device consisting of the state outline, the state name “Arizona,” the state seal, a saguaro cactus and a star. This laminate overlay provides the final layer of the credential and provides one more feature for authentication.
The ringtail, the state mammal, is illustrated on the front of the new credential.

Motorists should be alert for work zones south of Camp Verde next week

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Motorists traveling overnight on Interstate 17 next week, between Cordes Junction and Camp Verde, need to plan ahead due to two projects south of the State Route 169 junction.

The overnight work will be from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly. The work takes place as follows:

Sunday, May 4 through Thursday, May 8 SR 169 narrowed to one lane over I-17. Drivers will be guided through work zone by flaggers.

Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7 Southbound I-17 will be closed at SR 169 interchange. DETOUR: All vehicles will use the off and on-ramps at SR 169.

Monday, May 5 through Thursday, May 8 Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 276 (approximately two miles south of the SR 169 bridge) for guardrail installation.

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.

I-10 closed near downtown Phoenix this weekend for APS power line project

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i10-pho-ber2PHOENIX – Drivers with travel plans through the Phoenix area this weekend (May 10-11) are urged to avoid a closure of Interstate 10 in the downtown area due to an Arizona Public Service Co. power line project.

Westbound I-10 will be closed between the I-17 ‘Split’ near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Seventh Avenue while eastbound I-10 will be closed between the I-17 ‘Stack’ interchange and the Loop 202/State Route 51 interchange from 2 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday (May 11).

The westbound Loop 202 and southbound SR 51 ramps to westbound I-10 also will be closed.

Drivers, including those with travel plans in or out of Sky Harbor Airport, can expect heavy traffic congestion in areas approaching the I-10 closure. The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers plan ahead, allow plenty of extra travel time and use alternate routes if at all possible.

I-10 traffic will be detoured to Interstate 17 south and west of the downtown area, but heavy delays can be expected.

The I-10 closure is required to allow crews working on the APS project to safely remove three older power lines and replace them with six new power lines in the area of the Seventh Street overpass. According to APS, the work will add a second circuit to the Seventh Street power-line system to meet higher electrical demands and ensure greater reliability in the Phoenix area.

The weekend of May 10-11 was selected for the closure to allow APS to get the necessary work done before much-hotter summer weather arrives and before electric power demand climbs this summer. The weekend was also chosen for the closure because the Arizona Diamondbacks will be playing out of town in Chicago.

While the APS power-line work is underway, ADOT also will have crews conducting maintenance work in and near the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel.

Roundabout work scheduled in Wickenburg on US 93 tomorrow night

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will restripe the south roundabout in Wickenburg on US 93 tomorrow night, April 29. Work hours will be from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Northbound US 93 traffic will be directed to use the north roundabout to Tegner Street for access into Wickenburg. Southbound US 93 traffic will be directed onto Tegner Street to eastbound US 60 and through the work zone with flaggers.

Clearly marked detour signage will be in place to direct traffic around the work zone. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Bridge work on SR 260 starts tomorrow east of Payson

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PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a bridge rehabilitation project on Tuesday, April 29 along a 10-mile stretch of State Route 260 (mileposts 267-277), approximately 17 miles east of Payson.

This $2.9 million project consists of reconstructing the existing bridge approaches of eight structures on the eastbound and westbound roadways. Work also includes milling and replacing the existing pavement at the bridge approaches, guardrail reconstruction and the replacement of existing pavement markings.

Work will begin tomorrow, April 29 at 6 a.m. in two locations, and will be in place for the next three months. Drivers can expect the eastbound lanes, at both locations, to be closed and traffic switched over to one of the westbound lanes creating a two-way roadway. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The first will be at the Tonto Creek Bridge (mileposts 267-268) near Kohl’s Ranch Road and the second will start at the Christopher Creek Campground (mileposts 272 -277) and work eastbound for five miles.

Delays are possible and drivers need to allow extra travel time to reach their destinations. The closures and detour will be in effect for the next three months.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Interstate 40 paving between Ash Fork and Williams to continue

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Winter construction shutdowns have lifted, enabling crews to continue paving work on Interstate 40 between Williams and Ash Fork (mileposts 146 to 162) starting Monday, April 28.

Over the next eight weeks drivers can expect a single lane restriction on I-40 in each direction during work hours, which are between 1 a.m. and 8p.m. Monday through Friday.

The work is part of a 16-mile repaving project on I-40 between Williams and Ash Fork. The work also includes new pavement, guardrail replacement, pavement markings and some bridge work.

The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2014.

Visitors and residents should remember that speeding through a construction zone increases the fines. Arizona also has a “move over” law requiring all vehicles to move over for any vehicle with flashing lights if you can do so safely.

Paving project on I-17 begins Sunday night

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The Arizona Department of Transportation begins a project to repave a 10-mile of Interstate 17 between the State Route 169 traffic interchange and the Orme/Dugas exit (mileposts 269 to 279).

Work begins Sunday, April 27 at which time drivers can expect a nightly single lane restriction on northbound I-17 just south of the SR 169 traffic interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday morning, May 2.

In addition to the work on I-17, ADOT will perform bridge work on the SR 169 bridge, during that time drivers using the SR 169 bridge will be restricted to one lane and guided through work zone with a pilot car.

This $6.4 million project consists of the removal of a layer of the existing pavement, repaving the roadway, bridge work and guardrail replacement and is expected to be complete by the fall 2014.

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