From the Director: An opportunity to tell ADOT what to plan for in the next five years

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

This is the time in the Arizona Department of Transportation’s planning cycle when we seek public comment on our tentative five-year construction program. It is an annual update of proposed projects to move forward in the next five years and how much local, state and federal funding should go toward them.

The Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program for 2018-2022 proposes accelerating some key expansion projects in Greater Arizona (outside Maricopa and Pima counties) due to federal funding increases, grants and state budget appropriations. The tentative program maintains our agency’s target of $260 million per year for preservation. Preservation ensures we are keeping the existing highway system in good repair and can function as it should.

Major improvement projects along some of Arizona’s busiest corridors will not only provide better mobility for everyday commutes and travel but will enhance freight movement, trade, commerce and economic development as Arizona expands its reach in the global marketplace.  While key expansion projects are usually the most visible changes to our transportation infrastructure, ADOT is also committed to protecting Arizona’s nearly $21 billion investment in our state highway system through dedicated preservation funding.

You can review the list of proposed projects and provide comments at azdot.gov/fiveyearplan. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. May 30. The State Transportation Board is expected to finalize the five-year program at its June 16 meeting in Payson.

We value the public input in our planning process. I encourage you to review and comment on what we believe will improve and preserve our state’s transportation system.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.