To call ADOT or another agency, that is the question

If you have a question related to Arizona roadways, who you gonna call? The answer is: It depends.

Here at ADOT, we’re happy to answer questions about highways, the Motor Vehicle Division and more. But sometimes, people call us for information that we simply don’t have access to or for something happening on a roadway that is outside our jurisdiction. 

We want to help you get the answers and information you’re looking for as quickly as possible, so here are some common questions we get that are better answered by others, so you can go straight to the source:

Road repairs and construction

ADOT builds and maintains the state highway system, which includes interstates, freeways, US routes and state routes. If you have a question about a construction project on one of those, reach out to ADOT. Depending on your question, we may need to track down the answer from the project team, but we will get back to you as quickly as we can. You can also find information on the projects page of our website.

However, if the repairs or roadwork are located on a city street or county road, that is outside of ADOT’s jurisdiction. In those cases, you would need to reach out to the local jurisdiction where the construction is located.

Here’s where to contact the 10 most populated cities in Arizona for roadway issues, in case you want to save your city’s information:

• Phoenix Street Transportation Department.
• Tucson Streets & Traffic Maintenance.
• Mesa Streets & Transportation.
• Chandler Streets and Roadways.
• Gilbert Streets.
• Glendale Transportation Services.
• Scottsdale Streets - Roadway and Street Maintenance.
• Peoria Streets Division.
• Tempe Street/Signals/Traffic.
• Surprise Street Maintenance.

Traffic Conditions

If you have questions about current driving conditions and what the best route is for you to take, AZ511.gov and the AZ511 app are available any time you need, as well as our automated line that you can reach by dialing 511.

Debris

If there is small debris on the highway or something on the shoulder and outside of travel lanes, ADOT is who to call. However, if you see large debris or a hazard that could cause a crash, such as a couch or ladder, in the lanes of the highway, that is an emergency and you should call 911.

Lights and Signals

If a traffic signal or light is out on the highway, you would reach out to ADOT — usually. The places where that can get tricky are highway intersections. Many on- and off-ramp traffic lights are ADOT’s, but not all of them.

For example, all of the traffic signals at intersections on Interstate 17 in Phoenix are maintained by ADOT except for the ones at Central Avenue, which belong to the City of Phoenix, so you would need to reach out to their streets department.

We know it can be confusing, so we definitely won’t hold it against you if you reach out to the wrong agency and will try to point you in the right direction. 

Enforcement

For law enforcement issues related to the highway, you would need to reach out to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. If the issue is on a city street, you would need to contact your local law enforcement agency. If there is an emergency, always call 911.

ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division officers make key traffic stops in addition to their primary duties of enforcing commercial vehicle regulations to help keep motorists safe.

Crash Information

When crashes on highways occur, ADOT can provide information about the location, if travel lanes are restricted or closed, if the crash is creating travel delays and potential alternate routes. For specific information about a crash that takes place on a highway, you would need to reach out to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which responds to and investigates crashes on the state highway system.

Animals

If you come across a live animal on the freeway, do NOT stop to try to catch it. Instead, please call 911 and leave it to the professionals.

Unfortunately, sometimes animals meet their demise on the roadway. If you see a dead animal along the freeway, that’s when you should reach out to ADOT. 

However, if the dead animal is on a city street or county road, you would need to call the local jurisdiction. The City of Phoenix has a dedicated Dead Animal Pickup line where you can call and leave a message: 602-262-6791. For other cities, you would need to contact their streets or public works departments.