PHOENIX – One of Yuma County’s largest recent freeway improvement projects is about to be completed, paving the way for smoother and safer travel through one of the region’s busiest intersections.

The new Araby Road traffic interchange at Interstate 8 includes two modern roundabouts that will reduce delays for drivers entering and exiting I-8. The roundabout on the south side of I-8 also connects with Gila Ridge Road.

The $8 million project was completed in two phases, with the roundabout on the north side of I-8 finished in 2017 and the south side roundabout expected to be complete by Nov. 1.

The work stopped from November 2017 to May 2018 to allow easier freeway access for seasonal visitors and winter produce headed toward markets across the country.

Araby Road, also known as State Route 195, connects I-8 with the San Luis Port of Entry and is a vital corridor for international commerce. The roundabouts are designed to accommodate large commercial trucks as well as agricultural equipment and recreational vehicles.

The interchange is one of the busiest along I-8 in Yuma, used by about 22,000 vehicles per day. The new design is expected to accommodate increasing traffic in the area through at least 2035.

A comprehensive study determined that modern roundabouts are the best choice to meet traffic demands at the interchange. Modern roundabouts have been shown to be safer and more efficient than traditional signalized intersections.

Overnight closures of Araby Road at I-8 are planned for Monday through Thursday nights, Oct. 22-25. The southbound lane will close at 10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22, and Tuesday Oct. 23, with the northbound lane closing Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Thursday, Oct. 25. The road will reopen at 5 a.m. on the following mornings.

In addition, the I-8 eastbound on- and off ramps at Araby will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27. 

PHOENIX – A modern roundabout designed to enhance safety and traffic flow has opened along State Route 88 (Apache Trail) in a growing area of Apache Junction.

An alternative to a traditional intersection using a traffic signal, the modern roundabout completed at SR 88 and Superstition Boulevard is designed to accommodate large vehicles and vehicles with trailers. The center has an inner circle, known as a truck apron, with additional pavement at the edge to allow larger vehicles to easily maneuver within the roundabout.

The $3.3 million Arizona Department of Transportation project, which began in March, also included realigning SR 88 at the interchange, installing lighting, reconstructing turnouts and rerouting Goldfield Wash around the relocated roadway.

Modern roundabouts, which operate without traffic signals, provide a number of safety benefits. They feature just eight conflict points for traffic, versus 32 in a traditional intersection. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, modern roundabouts provide a 90 percent reduction in fatal crashes, a 75 percent reduction in injury crashes and reductions in crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists.

By eliminating wait times at traffic signals, roundabouts enhance traffic flow and capacity while also reducing fuel consumption and pollution.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – An Apache Junction intersection along State Route 88 remains closed as the Arizona Department of Transportation constructs a modern roundabout that will enhance safety and increase traffic capacity.

The roundabout at SR 88 (Apache Trail) and Superstition Boulevard is now expected to open before Labor Day.

Signs mark convenient alternate routes. West of the intersection, drivers can go north-south on Idaho Road and east-west on Lost Dutchman Boulevard. East of the intersection, Tomahawk Road can take drivers between US 60 and SR 88.

An alternative to a traditional intersection using a traffic signal, a modern roundabout is designed to accommodate large vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers. The inner circle, known as a truck apron, has additional pavement at the edge that allows larger vehicles to easily maneuver within the roundabout.

The $3.3 million project, which began in March, also includes realigning SR 88 at the interchange, installing lighting, reconstructing turnouts and rerouting Goldfield Wash around the relocated roadway.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – When the Arizona Department of Transportation completes a $62 million project widening 9 miles of State Route 260 between Camp Verde and Cottonwood, motorists will use seven modern roundabout intersections designed to improve traffic flow while reducing the risk of serious crashes.

“Roundabouts are a great alternative to the traditional intersection,” said Alvin Stump, district engineer for ADOT’s Northwest District. “While they may be a change, the safety benefits cannot be ignored.”

These circular intersections with no traffic signals have just eight conflict points where crashes can occur, versus 32 in a traditional intersection. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, modern roundabouts provide a 90 percent reduction in fatal crashes, a 75 percent reduction in injury crashes and reductions in crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists.

They also increase traffic flow, which reduces fuel consumption and pollution, and increase traffic capacity.

The modern roundabouts being installed along SR 260 will accommodate tractor-trailers and other large vehicles, with a truck apron in the center helping the largest vehicles stay in their lane.

Work is proceeding on modern roundabouts at SR 260 and Thousand Trails Road, Coury Drive, Cherry Creek Road, Horseshoe Bend Drive, Wilshire Road and two locations that will accommodate future development. 

When approaching a roundabout, slow down and yield to traffic inside the intersection. Look left, proceed into the roundabout when there’s a gap in traffic and follow the circle to your exit.

Roundabouts are used elsewhere in the Verde Valley, in the Phoenix metro area and in many other places around Arizona, including US 89 in Page and Cameron, State Route 89 in Prescott and Chino Valley, and US 95 in San Luis. ADOT is building two modern roundabouts at the Araby Road (US 195) interchange with Interstate 8 in Yuma. 

To learn more about roundabouts and how to use them, visit azdot.gov/roundabouts. 

YUMA ‒ One of the Yuma area’s largest road construction projects in recent years will begin in mid-July, but preparations for the work mean road closures and restrictions on Araby and Gila Ridge roads at Interstate 8 will begin as soon as the July 4 holiday ends.

Beginning Wednesday, July 5, drivers will want to allow extra time and consider alternate routes while utility crews begin relocating underground lines in the work zone. Restrictions and road closures will be in place 24 hours a day through July 16. Work on the $8 million project to build two modern roundabouts at the interchange is scheduled to begin July 17.

Here are the restrictions that will be in place beginning July 5:

• The westbound Interstate 8 on-ramp and the eastbound I-8 off-ramp at Araby Road will be closed, and a right-turn only restriction will be in place from westbound I-8 to northbound Araby Road. Drivers on Araby Road will be able to access the eastbound on-ramp from either direction. Consider using Avenue 3E or Avenue 8½ E instead.
• Araby Road will be narrowed to one 11-foot lane in each direction from the north side of I-8 (approximately 26th Street) to the south side of I-8 (30th Street), and the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.  Vehicles wider than 10 feet must use an alternate route. Drivers can use Avenue 3E or Avenue 8½ E.
• Gila Ridge Road will be closed in both directions just south of Araby Road at the Tanimura and Antle Produce building. Access to the building will remain open on the west side of the building. Plan for heavy traffic and allow extra time.

On July 17, Arizona Department of Transportation crews will begin work on the north side of I-8, constructing the first of two modern roundabouts that will move traffic through one of the busiest freeway interchanges in Yuma. Work is expected to continue until November and then stop to allow heavier winter commercial traffic to pass through the area without restrictions. Construction will resume in the spring and is expected to conclude by late 2018.

The second roundabout, on the south side of the freeway, also will connect with Gila Ridge Road, a busy commercial route.

Drivers should expect delays and detours, including lane restrictions and closures at Gila Ridge and Araby roads. Alternate routes will include Avenue 8 ½ E and Avenue 3E. ADOT will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction on Araby Road while construction is underway, but drivers should plan for reduced speed limits and delays.