Category Archives: Unelected Officials

ADOT selects preconstruction contractor for emergency repairs on US 89

Posted on by

Contractor that completed US 89T will work on landslide repair

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation cleared another hurdle this week in its effort to get the US 89 landslide repair started. ADOT has finalized an agreement with a contractor for preconstruction engineering services, which includes assistance with the final design and construction logistics for the ultimate fix.

Tempe-based FNF Construction, Inc. was selected by ADOT as the contractor for pre-construction services on the landslide-damaged highway that links Bitter Springs and Page.

FNF Construction is the same contractor ADOT successfully partnered with to complete the Temporary US 89 (US 89T) project, which now serves as the primary detour to and from the Page and Lake Powell areas. The previously unpaved Navajo Route 20 was paved in only three months to become US 89T, which opened to traffic in August.

Through a Construction-Manager-At-Risk contract, FNF Construction will work with the project design team. This early collaboration can lead to completing projects faster with reduced costs. Preconstruction services will also include the design of access roads at the project site that will be needed when construction starts as anticipated this summer.

“Every day, ADOT is getting closer to our goal of starting the US 89 landslide repair to reopen this roadway by the end of the year,” said Steve Boschen, ADOT deputy state engineer for design. “Using the Construction-Manager-At-Risk delivery method will ensure that we can optimize construction efficiency.”

The new preconstruction agreement with FNF Construction does not include the construction project to repair US 89. That contract is expected to be finalized later this spring.

The environmental and design process for a normal project can take two years to complete, but ADOT has been working with the Federal Highway Administration, Navajo Nation, Navajo Division of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to expedite the environmental, utility and right-of-way clearance and approval processes, knowing the lack of a usable road between the Bitter Springs and Page communities is a hardship for many people.

Recently, ADOT received the necessary environmental and utility clearances on the ultimate repair of US 89. Without the clearances, ADOT cannot use federal funds for this repair project.

ADOT also continues to work with the Navajo Nation on obtaining the new right-of-way easements that will be necessary prior to construction. An agreement between the Federal Highway Administration, Navajo Nation and Bureau of Indian Affairs must be reached to establish an expanded easement that facilitates construction, as well as operations and maintenance, of the repaired roadway.

The repair is currently programmed at $25 million. The project will include moving the roadway approximately 60 feet toward Echo Cliffs and using that rock to construct a downslope buttress to stabilize the area.

Night work this week on State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley

Posted on by

Barrier and restriping work between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. tonight through Thursday night

The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun placing temporary concrete barrier and restriping the roadway for the widening project on State Route 89 between Chino Valley and Prescott.

The work will take place over three nights between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. starting tonight through Thursday, March 27. Drivers can expect minimal delays during work hours.

In addition to this night work, the project’s regularly scheduled work hours are Monday through Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

ADOT advises drivers and bicyclists to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT preparing to open roads to lakes in White Mountains for summer season

Posted on by

State Route 260. ADOT Photo

State Route 260. ADOT Photo

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will reopen several roads in the White Mountains, which are closed annually for the winter season. The roads will open early, this year, because of the dry winter season.

ADOT will start clearing leftover snow drifts, downed trees and conduct road repair which may affect traffic before opening the roads beginning Wenesday April 16.

Although the safety of all motorists is a top priority for ADOT before allowing traffic on previously closed roads, ADOT encourages motorists to do their part. Do not speed or tailgate other vehicles. Make sure you rest well before your trip and give yourself extra time for the trip.

Check the mechanical condition of your vehicle. Ensure you have proper cooling and brake fluids and oil. Check your tire pressure which also saves you on gasoline. Bring extra water and food in the event of a breakdown.

ADOT will open 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 you leave, check for information about highway restrictions across Arizona at ADOT’s traveler information web site, www.az511.gov or dial 5-1-1.

Roundabout work on US 93 in Wickenburg begins Sunday night

Posted on by

Night work will require the closure of the south roundabout; delays of up to 15 minutes are expected

WICKENBURG – The Arizona Department of Transportation will smooth and resurface the south roundabout in Wickenburg on US 93 starting Sunday night, March 23. Overnight work, requiring the full closure of the south roundabout, will occur Sunday through Thursday between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.

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.

Until work is complete on the roundabout, one lane will be closed during the day starting on Monday, March 24 through Friday, March 28 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Restrictions for wide loads (maximum 10 feet wide) and a 75-foot length restriction will be in place until the work is completed.

Construction to widen State Route 89 between Prescott and Chino Valley begins

Posted on by

Four-lane divided highway to improve travel times for drivers

PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation will start a widening project this week on State Route 89 in an effort to improve travel times and enhance safety for motorists traveling between Chino Valley and Prescott.

Upon completion of the $17 million project, ADOT will expand the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway along a five-mile segment of SR 89 (mileposts 320-325) between Road 4 South in Chino Valley and Deep Well Ranch Road in Prescott, north of the SR 89/SR 89A junction.

The new southbound roadway will be parallel to the existing highway between Prescott and Chino Valley and will include the construction of two roundabouts at Deep Well Ranch Road and Kalinich Avenue.

Project work hours are Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and minimal impacts to the traveling public are expected as the majority of the work will not be performed on the existing roadway.

This project is expected to be completed by summer 2015.

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.

Maintenance on 89A in Jerome may cause delays today and tomorrow.

Posted on by

Delays of up to 15 minutes are possible through Wednesday

JEROME – Maintenance work to remove debris from the shoulders on northbound State Route 89A (mileposts 345 to 346) in Jerome will occur tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

SR 89A will be reduced to one lane and crews will direct traffic through the work zone in alternating directions. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected and drivers should allow additional to reach their destinations.

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

ADOT beginning work on US 89 widening project

Posted on by

Little Colorado River Bridge to be replaced, roadway widened and roundabout installed

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun work on a project to expand US 89 from two lanes to four lanes through the community of Cameron within the Navajo Nation, approximately 50 miles north of Flagstaff.

Major work on the $36.7 million project includes widening US 89 to two lanes in each direction between State Route 64 and the Little Colorado River (mileposts 464-467) and removal and replacement of the existing US 89 Cameron Truss Bridge with two new bridges at that location.

Additional improvements on US 89 through Cameron include constructing a roundabout at the existing intersection of US 89 and SR 64, new sidewalks, streetlights, and four pedestrian/livestock underpasses.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in two major phases with completion expected Fall 2016.

Traffic delays may occur during construction with traffic reduced to one lane. Directional signage and flaggers will be present during construction. ADOT advises motorists to be alert for construction equipment and personnel, and to proceed through the work zone with caution.

Blasting is over, I-17 climbing lane project moves to next phase

Posted on by

ADOT Photo

ADOT Photo

ADOT project to ease congestion along southbound uphill stretch near Camp Verde

PHOENIX – One of the most visible projects on Interstate 17 is moving onto the final phase of construction.

Since the January 2013 start of the $11.8 million safety improvement project south of Camp Verde, the Arizona Department of Transportation has moved approximately 350,000 tons of dirt and boulders from Copper Canyon to clear a path for the construction of the first-ever climbing lane (and third travel lane) on southbound I-17.

When complete, the additional southbound lane through the final two miles to the top of Copper Canyon will make it easier for motorists to pass large trucks and slow-moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway (mileposts 280-282), which is the primary travel route linking Phoenix and Flagstaff.

Since early 2013, motorists traveling late at night on I-17 (primarily between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.) have had to plan ahead to avoid more than 70 planned one-hour closures required to safely remove the rock material from the mountainside of Copper Canyon. Those restrictions ended with the final overnight blasting closure on Feb. 18, but additional lane restrictions are anticipated in the future as crews move to pave the new lane.

Southbound I-17 climbing laneWith the blasting phase of the project completed on Copper Canyon and the project 80 percent finished, crews have already begun building the subgrade for the new pavement on the climbing lane, which will add a third travel lane for motorists to climb to the top of the steep Copper Canyon.

ADOT will start final paving operations for the project in early summer when temperatures are ideal for this type of work.

In addition to the climbing lane, ADOT is also building a two-mile-long merging lane between the State Route 260 junction and General Crook Trail traffic interchange (mileposts 285-287), which is located just before the approach to Copper Canyon. The merging lane will allow larger vehicles to gain speed before merging onto I-17 while also providing more room for passenger vehicles traveling past slower traffic.

I-15 bridge improvement work progresses in Virgin River Gorge

Posted on by

virginriverbridgeMotorists reminded to plan ahead for delays; traffic switch to begin on March 3

PHOENIX — Construction work on a series of bridge rehabilitation projects along the Interstate 15 Virgin River Gorge corridor in Arizona is underway, and motorists traveling between Mesquite, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, should plan ahead for delays in both directions through the work zones, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

On Monday and Tuesday, March 3-4, northbound and southbound traffic is scheduled to be switched to the northbound lanes at Virgin River Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 3 (both at milepost 13, approximately 15 miles north of Mesquite, Nevada) and Bridge No. 7 (milepost 22, approximately 15 miles south of St. George, Utah) to allow work on the southbound bridge deck surfaces to begin.

I-15 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction at each of the bridge locations and delays are expected. Anticipated completion for this $2.8 million improvement project is this summer.

Drivers should allow 15 minutes extra travel time weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional delays may occur on weekends due to heavier traffic volumes and special events — including spring break from mid-March through late April.

Next month, ADOT is expected to start the reconstruction of Virgin River Bridge No. 6 (milepost 16, approximately 21 miles south of St. George, Utah). This significant $27 million rehabilitation project will include the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the gorge.

With limited alternate routes due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT urges drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down and drive carefully through the work zone, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions. Unscheduled restrictions or closures may occur, and construction schedules are subject to change.

Supreme Court skeptical of greenhouse gas permits

Posted on by

Justices appear to be leaning toward a ruling that would eliminate just one method the Environmental Protection Agency uses to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources

1372376433000-ourviewWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday appeared headed toward restricting the federal government’s authority to require permits for major emitters of greenhouse gases.

Such a ruling from the court’s conservative wing wouldn’t affect an effort by the Obama administration to regulate the sources of global warming, but it would eliminate one method of doing so.

At issue is the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to change the threshold in the Clean Air Act for the amount of emissions from a power plant, refinery or other stationary source that requires a permit. Liberal justices said it was a reasonable move to avoid an absurd over-regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, but conservatives said it went too far.

Read more at USA Today.