Tag Archives: ADOT

ADOT’s newest snowplows ready for more high country storms

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With another round of winter storms expected next week, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplow fleet includes 25 new, high-tech vehicles ready to clear state highways of snow and ice.

These snowplows have lighter, flexible blades that ADOT’s trained drivers can adjust from inside the cab to efficiently clear highways, such as when conditions warrant a tighter curl or different angle. The new plows also provide easier handling and improved visibility.

The new Freightliner snowplow trucks, replacing older plows that are no longer part of ADOT’s fleet of nearly 200, are being used almost exclusively on wider interstate highways, including I-17 and I-40 in the Flagstaff area. While many ADOT snowplows have 11-foot wide steel blades up front, the flexible blades on these plows measure 12 feet across.

ADOT purchased the snowplows, each costing $280,000 and weighing 65,000 pounds fully loaded with equipment and deicing materials, as part of a program to maintain a reliable fleet that keeps the traveling public as safe as possible when winter weather strikes.

The bit, or bottom edge section of a flexible snowplow blade, includes a shock-absorbing rubber insulator that improves contact with the highway’s surface. The plow blade acts much more like a squeegee along the pavement, increasing the removal of snow and ice from lower, worn spots created by heavy traffic.

Inside the cab, several high-tech tools help snowplow operators negotiate often-challenging conditions. Joysticks control the blade’s movements. A computerized monitor provides weather data and pavement temperatures as well as information about deicing agents that are distributed from the plow’s dump truck bed. Another screen shows images from separate rear- and side-mounted cameras.

A laser guidance system helps drivers operate a separate blade called a wing plow, which can extend from right side of the vehicle to increase the amount of snow cleared. The laser’s beam, which shines ahead to match where the outside edge of the wing plow will travel, lets drivers know if they need to merge away from objects such as guardrails.

Any snowplow operator, whether in a new or older plow, has a lot to focus on while clearing snow from highways. It’s important that other drivers give snowplows plenty of room to operate. Try to avoid passing a snowplow while it’s clearing snow and stay at least four vehicles lengths behind it.

The new snowplows aren’t limited to use during the winter season. With plow-related equipment removed, they provide year-round flexibility when used as dump trucks for highway maintenance work.

ADOT detectives nab woman with revoked nursing license for ID fraud

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation detectives have arrested a Chandler resident whose nursing license was revoked for insurance fraud after she allegedly used a stolen identity to try and obtain a new nursing license.

Laura Lynn Bell, 40, used a falsified Arizona driver license and a Superior Court name change form to petition her alma mater, the University of South Alabama, to change the name on her official transcripts to another person’s name in an attempt to get a new nursing license.

The university became suspicious of Bell’s request and contacted the Arizona State Board of Nursing, which in turn contacted the Arizona Department of Insurance, which brought the original insurance fraud case against her. Those agencies requested assistance from ADOT’s Office of Inspector General since a forged credential was involved.

When ADOT detectives served a warrant at Bell’s home on Dec. 12, they found forged court documents and other papers listing the other individual’s name. They also obtained a forged driver license created on Bell’s computer.

Bell was arrested and booked at the Fourth Avenue Jail on new counts of forgery and identity fraud in addition to the insurance fraud case previously brought against her.

Lane and ramp restrictions set at State Route 89 and State Route 89A in Prescott beginning December 11

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restrictions while electrical-conduit installation work continues on State Route 89 and 89A in Prescott:

  • The southbound SR 89A on-ramp at SR 89 will be reduced to one lane of alternating travel from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, and Wednesday, December 12. Drivers should consider using Deep Well Ranch Road to Willow Creek Road as an alternate route.
  • Law enforcement will be assisting with traffic control.
  • A 12-foot vehicle-width restriction will be in place.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel equipment.

Learn more and sign up to receive project alerts by email on the project webpage azdot.gov/SR89DeepWellRanch

Public Safety Fee going into effect

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PHOENIX – Beginning December 1, Arizona motorists expecting vehicle registration renewals will see a new Public Safety Fee. The fee was established by state law to support public safety and Highway Patrol operations. The fee goes into effect for registrations due in January which can be paid as early as Dec. 1, and immediately for newly registered vehicles.

The fee will be collected during the vehicle-registration process administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division. Arizona statute established the method for collecting the fee and sets the process for determining the amount based on a formula designed to support Highway Patrol operations.

Highway Patrol operations — among the most visible functions of the Arizona Department of Public Safety — include response to collisions on Arizona highways, enforcing state laws designed to keep the motoring public safe, arresting impaired drivers, assisting motorists in distress, air-rescue operations and patrolling more than 6,800 miles of highways.

Most motorists will pay $32 per vehicle, per year. Street-legal golf carts and primarily off-highway vehicles will pay $5. Those who register a vehicle annually or pay for a two- or five-year registration will pay the entire amount up front for each registered year.

The funds raised through the Public Safety Fee will not only provide necessary dollars for public safety, but will advance maintenance and construction of Arizona’s highway infrastructure, including the state’s Key Commerce Corridors that support economic development around the state.

Over the past decade, much of the Highway Patrol’s budget was considered part of the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund, the gas-tax account that supports Arizona roadways, including law-enforcement support. The new $32 Public Safety Fee will allow gas-tax money to support roadway maintenance and construction, while providing a different source of funding for Highway Patrol operations.

For more information: www.azdot.gov/mvd.

For details on the enabling legislation, visit: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/53leg/2R/laws/0265.pdf.

UPDATE: Interstate 40 ramp closures at Grand Canyon Boulevard and SR 64

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WILLLIAMS – Northern Arizona motorists on Interstate 40 near Williams, west of Flagstaff, should expect ramp closures at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 163) and State Route 64 (exit 165) during daytime hours for paving work on December 6 and December 10 to 12.

Work is scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.

Drivers are advised to follow the signed detour routes while the following on- and off-ramp closures are in place:

  • Thursday, December 6: Westbound on- and off-ramp at State Route 64 (exit 165) closed.
  • Monday, December 10: Westbound on- and off- ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 163) closed.
  • Tuesday, December 11: Eastbound on- and off-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 163) closed.
  • Wednesday, December 12: Eastbound off-ramp at State Route 64 (exit 165) closed.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Interstate 40 ramp closures at Grand Canyon Boulevard, SR 64 set for Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 11-12

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Northern Arizona motorists on Interstate 40 near Williams, west of Flagstaff, should expect ramp closures at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 164) and State Route 64 (exit 165) during daytime hours for paving work on Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 10-11.

Work is scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.

Drivers are advised to follow the signed detour routes while the following on- and off-ramp closures are in place:

Wednesday, Dec. 5: Westbound on-ramp at State Route 64 (exit 165) closed.
Thursday, Dec. 6: Westbound on- and off- ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 164) closed.
Tuesday, Dec. 11: Eastbound on- and off-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 164) closed.
Wednesday, Dec. 12: Eastbound off-ramp at State Route 64 (exit 165) closed.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

SR 67 to North Rim of Grand Canyon to close for winter Monday

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PHOENIX – State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is scheduled to close for the winter season on Monday, December 3.

ADOT doesn’t clear snow from SR 67 during the winter since North Rim visitor accommodations are closed. The highway reopens each spring, usually around mid-May. US 89A remains open during the winter.

State routes 261, 273 and 473 leading to lakes in the White Mountains region will also close for the winter on December 31. The highways could close earlier depending on weather.

ADOT reminds motorists heading into snow country to drive with caution and follow this advice:

  • Don’t let GPS and navigation apps replace common sense. When a highway is closed, a suggested alternate route involving an unpaved, unplowed road can lead you into danger.
  • Pack an emergency kit, a fully charged cellphone, extra clothing, blankets, water and snacks.
  • Slow down. Drive defensively. Be patient and allow additional time for your trip. Never pass a snowplow.
  • Leave sufficient space between your vehicle and those ahead of you. Give yourself plenty of room and time to stop or to avoid hazards.
  • Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel.
  • Check weather and road conditions before you travel. Let someone know your route.
  • Bring a small bag of sand (or cat litter) for wheel traction.

Additional information on winter driving is available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Expect lane closures on State Route 89A near Sedona November 26 to December 7

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for lane closures on north- and southbound State Route 89A near Sedona between mileposts 383 and 385 while crews maintain roadside vegetation.

The work is scheduled to occur on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, through Friday, Dec. 7.

  • SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane during daytime operations.
  • Flaggers and a pilot car will direct motorists through the work zone.
  • No restrictions are scheduled to be in place during weekends.

Please proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for maintenance personnel and equipment.

In a minor crash? Move your car out of travel lanes

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PHOENIX – If you have the misfortune to be involved in a non-injury fender bender on a freeway, do not leave your car stopped in travel lanes, while you circle the vehicle taking photos of dents and dings from dozens of angles and waiting for a forensics team to arrive and piece together the cause of the collision.

That’s not safe and they’re not coming.

If you find yourself in this situation move your vehicle to the shoulder where you can safely exchange information with the other driver, inspect your vehicle for damage and wait for law enforcement to arrive. This is called “Quick Clearance” and is a traffic incident management strategy that keeps motorists safe and traffic moving.During National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Awareness Week (November 11-17), the Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Public Safety and other traffic-safety stakeholders are providing the traveling public with TIM tips. In addition, motorists will see TIM-related safety messages on overhead signs and on social media this week.

“Not only do TIM techniques keep traffic moving as efficiently and smoothly as possible,” said Derek Arnson, ADOT’s Traffic Management Group manager, “they make it safer for those involved in the incident, safer for those responding to the incident and safer for the motorists traveling near the incident.”

Nearly 350 vehicle crashes occur every day in Arizona and most will be visited by emergency responders, which can include law enforcement, fire departments, medical services, transportation crews and tow trucks. Different responders have different duties on scene – some tend to victims and others gather information about the incident, while others remove damaged vehicles and clear space to make travel safer for other motorists – but all are practicing TIM techniques.

“TIM strategies are used by first responders on a daily basis to keep motorists safe on Arizona’s roadways, while reducing traffic congestion that often causes secondary collisions,” said Lt. Col. Wayde Webb of the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division.

While responders employ a variety of TIM strategies that keep motorists safe and traffic moving efficiently, the public plays a role, too. First, motorists can practice “Quick Clearance,” a state law that requires a driver involved in a minor crash without injuries to remove their vehicle from the roadway if it is operable and can be moved safely. In addition to moving vehicles from the roadway to increase safety, Arizona’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it’s not safe to change lanes – when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of a road or highway.

Giving responders space to work can be a life-saving action, said Angela Barnett, Executive Director of the Arizona Professional Towing and Recovery Association. On average, one tow truck operator is struck and killed every six days in the United States, according to national crash statistics.

“Give us room to do our jobs,” Barnett said. “When you see an incident or flashing lights ahead, please pay attention and slow down. It’s real life out there and we all want to go home at the end of the day.”

Remember, if you are involved in a crash, the first action to take is to make sure you and occupants in your vehicle are OK. Then, if your vehicle is operable, move to the emergency shoulder, median or exit the highway and call 911. Stay out of travel lanes, be alert and watch approaching traffic. Never leave the scene of a crash.

Expect delays and on- and off-ramp closures on Interstate 40 at State Route 64 next week

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Northern Arizona drivers should expect travel delays and on- and off-ramp closures on Interstate 40 at State Route 64 during daytime hours Wednesday, Nov. 14, and Monday, Nov. 19.

The closures are necessary as the Arizona Department of Transportation continues repairing 17 miles of pavement on Interstate 40 between Parks and Williams in northern Arizona. ADOT advises drivers to use Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 163) while the following on- and off- ramp closures are in place:

Monday, Nov. 19: Eastbound I-40 on-ramp at SR 64 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Learn more about this project here.