Tag Archives: ADOT

Sonoran Corridor report available for review

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PHOENIX ‒ A report describing how the Arizona Department of Transportation reduced the potential routes for the proposed Sonoran Corridor from dozens of options to three recommended for further study, along with the no-build alternative, is now available for review and comment.

The Sonoran Corridor Draft Corridor Selection Report explains how factors such as growth, economic benefits, environmental impacts and feasibility contributed to identifying these alternatives in the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement.

Public comment on the report is invited through Monday, April 22. Public comment on a public meeting held March 7 in Tucson is invited through Sunday, April 7.

The Sonoran Corridor would connect Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport. The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, which started in May 2017, evaluates multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridors and the no-build option. A Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in late 2019 with a preferred alternative for public review. A Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected by spring 2020.

The next phase would include a Tier 2 study to locate an approximately 400-foot-wide route within corridor identified as the preferred alternative. The timeline and funding for the Tier 2 study haven’t been identified.

ADOT has held four public meetings about the Sonoran Corridor over the past two years. Comments received at those meetings are included in the draft Corridor Selection Report and are being considered along with input from area businesses and governments, including Pima County and the cities of Tucson and Sahuarita.

To see the draft reports, visit azdot.gov/Sonoran Corridor. Click on the Documents tab to see the draft Corridor Selection Report, and click on the Alternatives tab to see a map of the three corridors that have been recommended for further study. A no-build option also remains under consideration.

The public can submit questions or comments in the following ways:

  • Email: SonoranCorridor@azdot.gov
  • Phone: The ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line: 855-712-8530
  • Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

Public comments welcome on the ADOT Memorandum of Understanding to assume environmental review responsibility from Federal Highway Administration

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All highway projects require some level of environmental analysis to assess potential impacts. From installation of new roadside signs to construction of a new urban freeway, different levels of environmental review are required under the National Environmental Policy Act, which the Arizona Department of Transportation is required to follow when using federal funds.

To further streamline environmental review for federal-aid projects, Congress created the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program, or “NEPA Assignment.” This program allows a state to apply for and assume decision-making and legal responsibility for meeting requirements of NEPA and other federal environmental laws otherwise administered by the FHWA for projects.

Recognizing that states are able to comply with federal environmental requirements on their own, while streamlining processes, and have waived their sovereign immunity in relation to federal court jurisdiction, ADOT is seeking environmental review authority and responsibility under NEPA Assignment for projects that require environmental assessments or the more rigorous environmental impact statements.

ADOT already has responsibility for certain NEPA decisions known as categorical exclusions, involving projects found not to have significant environmental impacts. ADOT entered into a separate agreement with the FHWA on January 3, 2018, to assume that responsibility.

To assume review authority for other levels of environmental review, ADOT has submitted a Draft Memorandum of Understanding and Final Application Notice to assume environmental authority and review responsibility from the Secretary of Transportation as required by NEPA for federally funded highway projects in Arizona and for local projects that are not part of the highway system but are also federally funded. This is part of a process to streamline environmental reviews for transportation projects, while fulfilling all federal requirements.

The Application addresses ADOT’s plan to assume environmental authority and review responsibility for federally funded state highway system projects, including interstates, U.S. highways and state routes and Local Public Agency projects that are not part of the state highway system in Arizona. ADOT is also applying to assume all of FHWA’s responsibilities for environmental review, resource agency consultation, and other environmental regulatory compliance-related actions pertaining to the review or approval of projects in Arizona.

The MOU Notice outlining the program under which the FHWA would assign environmental review authority and responsibility to ADOT is now available for review and comment. ADOT encourages members of the public to review and comment on the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program MOU, also known as NEPA Assignment.

Please submit your comments online by using the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comment.
For more information, visit ADOT’s Environmental Planning and NEPA Assignment website or contact ADOT NEPA Assignment Manager Steven Olmsted at SOlmsted@azdot.gov or by calling 602.712.6421.

International trucker safety training continues making Arizona roads safer

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PHOENIX – An innovative truck safety training program is continuing to make Arizona roads safer 18 months after Arizona Department of Transportation enforcement officers began taking their important messages to Mexican truck drivers south of the border.

More than 11,000 times in the past 18 months, Mexican truck drivers who have completed ADOT’s rigorous, two-day International Border Inspection Qualification have used the agency’s commercial ports of entry in Nogales, San Luis and Douglas. These qualified drivers have been stopped for significant safety violations just 31 times, or once in every 355 crossings.

ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division launched the program, the first by any state department of transportation to provide safety inspection training in Mexico, with a goal of making Arizona roads safer while supporting the flow of commerce. The state-certified law enforcement officers who staff ADOT’s commercial ports of entry along the international border teach drivers and mechanics from Mexico about the safety requirements for driving commercial trucks in Arizona.

The program has been a tremendous success by any measure, including the 576 drivers who have received the qualification, said Tim Lane, director of ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division.

“The improved safety record of drivers who have completed the training shows that our training program is very effective, and that the drivers attending our sessions are taking the process very seriously,” Lane said. “We are making a positive impact on safety on Arizona roads.”

There have been 25 two-day training sessions, and nine more sessions are scheduled over the next seven months. In addition, ADOT officers will offer seven requalification classes – one-day refresher programs for drivers who have completed the International Border Inspection Qualification.

Another innovation allows qualified drivers to communicate with ADOT officers before approaching the border using WhatsApp, a smartphone application. Drivers have used the app 233 times so far, with about 80 percent of those contacts revealing safety violations. Allowing truckers to perform repairs before approaching the border saves companies time and money.

Regional transportation study public meeting to be held in Show Low

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PHOENIX – The regional transportation plan study process for the White Mountains area, administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public meeting to present study findings Thursday, February 7, in Show Low.

Those attending the meeting, to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Show Low City Hall, 180 N. Ninth Street, can review and comment on potential transportation improvement projects identified in the region. Public input will inform selection of projects that will be documented in the study’s final report.

ADOT is administering the transportation study for southern Navajo and Apache counties that will evaluate the current transportation infrastructure in the region and make project recommendations over the next 20 years. These projects may involve roads, bike lanes, transit routes, pedestrian trails or anything that would improve residents and visitor’s mobility within the region.

The public can also view and provide comments on the Southern Navajo and Apache County Work Plan by visiting the project webpage at azdot.com/SNAC. Click the “comment form” link to provide feedback.

The southern Navajo and Apache County region began this regional transportation plan update due to population growth and economic development that are placing a burden on the existing infrastructure.

The study region includes Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and unincorporated areas of southern Navajo and Apache counties, including the communities of Concho and Vernon.

Visit azdot.gov/SNAC for more information on the study.

ADOT launches website focused on safe driving

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PHOENIX – Have you ever wondered what action to take when an overhead sign warns of an oncoming wrong-way driver? Curious about how to proceed when a dust storm appears on the horizon? Want to confirm the logistics of navigating a roundabout?

FocusOnDriving.com has answers to those questions and more.

This week, the Arizona Department of Transportation launched FocusOnDriving.com, a collection of safe-driving resources aimed to make motorists more informed about how to stay safe on Arizona’s roads. The site contains video public service announcements, information from current and past safety campaigns and general safe-driving tips.

“This website provides a wide variety of safe-driving information to drivers,” said ADOT director John Halikowski. “Informed drivers make better decisions and, in turn, that makes Arizona’s roads safer for all of us.”

Current safe-driving topics on the site include wrong-way drivers, dust storms, winter weather, child safety seats, Arizona’s “Move Over” law and more.

Busy year ahead for highway projects in northern Arizona

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PHOENIX – This year will be filled with highway system improvements for northern Arizona travelers, including the start of the latest Arizona Department of Transportation project expanding US 93 to four-lane divided highway between Wickenburg and Interstate 40.

Crews will soon launch a $35.5 million project on nearly 4 miles of US 93 just north of Wikieup, between Carrow and Stephens, connecting two sections of highway that have already been divided. That will provide a continuous stretch of divided four-lane highway from milepost 108, about 15 miles south of I-40, and milepost 121 near Wikieup.

With an eye toward an Interstate 11, ADOT has invested more than half a billion dollars over the past 20 years to turn the primary route between Phoenix and Las Vegas into modern four-lane divided highway. The upcoming project is part of $155 million in US 93 improvements planned over the next five years.

Currently all but 39 miles of the 200-mile drive from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line has been upgraded to a four-lane divided highway to improve traffic flow, support the movement of freight and enhance safety through this heavily traveled area. The entire northern segment of US 93 from Kingman to the Nevada state line (mileposts 1 to 68) is now a four-lane divided highway following the completion of a $71 million project in 2010.

Meanwhile, paving projects to repair long-term winter weather damage will continue in the Flagstaff area, with crews finishing paving along northbound I-17 from milepost 312 to the I-40 interchange and along the 17-mile stretch of I-40 between Cataract Lake and Parks west of Flagstaff.

Last year, crews rebuilt about 20 miles of highway in northern Arizona, providing a long-term fix to damage from freeze-thaw cycles and heavy traffic. In all, ADOT has improved or is in the process of improving 62 miles of interstate freeway in the Flagstaff area.

This spring, ADOT will launch a project to repave 13 miles of State Route 89A from Sedona to the scenic overlook between mileposts 374 and 387. The project will also install new guardrail.

In far northwestern Arizona, the decks of three Virgin River bridges along Interstate 15 will get makeovers starting early this year. Bridge Nos. 2 and 5 will get newly resurfaced decks. Bridge No. 4 will received a brand new deck.

In the Prescott area, ADOT will begin a project along 5 miles of SR 69 between Truwood Drive and Fain Road. Improvements include building a raised center median, new traffic signals and new left turn lanes at certain intersections. A multi-use path will also be constructed on the north side of SR 69 between Truwood and Navajo drives.

For more information on these projects, please visit azdot.gov/projects.

ADOT policy revised based on legal settlement

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PHOENIX – The following statement is provided as an element of a settlement agreement addressing policies of the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division involving those who hold federal Employment Authorization Cards:

The Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (“MVD”) has settled and resolved the litigation captioned Lucrecia Rivas Valenzuela, et al. v. Doug Ducey, et al., United States District Court Case Number CV-16-03072-PHX-DGC. Based on recent court decisions and as part of this settlement, MVD has agreed to revise Policy 16.1.4 so that any federally issued Employment Authorization Card is primary identification for purposes of applicants establishing authorized presence under federal law for purposes of A.R.S. Section 28-3153.

Digital license plates now available as option for Arizona motorists

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Technology buffs have a new Arizona license plate option available to them with the introduction of electronic digital plates.

For over a year, the Arizona Department of Transportation has tested this technology on a limited number of its fleet vehicles throughout the state to determine operational capabilities and endurance under multiple weather conditions.

ADOT also collaborated with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to ensure that the look of the plate and its messaging capabilities conform to legal requirements and law enforcement best practices.

The plates, called Rplate Digital License Plates, are LTE wireless connected devices similar to a tablet. The license plate number is constantly displayed, and the technology allows for added messages such as “invalid,” “stolen” and other notifications if needed.

While use of the Rplate is authorized by the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, it’s not available at MVD or Authorized Third Party offices. Motorists who wish to buy the plate must do so through participating resellers, including vehicle dealerships and professional auto service providers or the plate manufacturer, Reviver Auto. The plate’s cost is determined by the manufacturer, and MVD does not receive any proceeds from sales.

For more information: reviverauto.com.

ADOT to reschedule State Route 89 closure in Prescott

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PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers who use State Route 89 in Prescott that overnight road closures scheduled to begin Thursday, January 3, have been postponed because of weather conditions. ADOT will announce the updated work schedule when it becomes available.

Work was scheduled to occur in conjunction with the ongoing project to widen and improve SR 89 between Deep Well Ranch Road and SR 89A. Learn more about the project at azdot.gov/SR89DeepWellRanch.

Don’t overestimate your abilities when snow and ice are on highways

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PHOENIX – An incoming storm with lower-than-normal snow levels is expected to create slippery driving conditions and limited visibility starting Thursday evening throughout Rim Country, in northeastern Arizona and on steep, winding highways east of the Valley, including US 60, State Route 77 and State Route 177 in the Globe and Superior areas.

Avoid underestimating the power of a winter storm or overestimating your ability to negotiate highways covered with snow and ice. Arizona Department of Transportation snowplows will be out in force, but driving conditions can be hazardous during storms. Highways can close suddenly if enough snow falls in a brief period or if there are crashes, slide-offs or both.

Slow down and drive for the conditions you’re in. Be sure to leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

The safest decision when snow falls and ice forms is delaying travel until the storm passes and highways have been cleared. In addition to the obvious danger if your vehicle and others are stuck on or along a snow-covered highway, this also makes clearing the roadway much more difficult and time-consuming for ADOT’s snowplows.

If delaying travel isn’t possible, leave prepared for the possibility that you’ll spend extended time in winter conditions. Pack an emergency kit with items like extra blankets, warm clothes, food and water, cat litter or sand for traction, a first-aid kit and a fully charged cellphone.

Before leaving, check highway conditions by visiting ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or calling 511 (Not while driving). ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) is a 24-hour-a-day source of updated information and interaction. The free ADOT Alerts app available at ADOTAlerts.com delivers immediate information in a specific area if a major highway closes due to a crash or heavy weather.

For Interstate 17 travelers, ADOT’s message boards now provide estimated travel times to Flagstaff, Prescott and other high-country destinations.

Give snowplows plenty of room to work, staying at least four vehicle lengths behind. Avoid passing a plow until the driver pulls aside to let traffic by.

For more winter driving tips, visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.