The most read blogs of 2023

It’s been a great year for the ADOT Blog. We published more than 140 articles, covering a wide range of topics from project progress and historical anecdotes to animal rescues and Adopt a Highway updates.

Since it’s the end of the year, now’s the perfect time to count down the ten most-read blogs of 2023.

Number 10: State Route 79’s Gila River Bridge slide. For two weekends in January, crews used an innovative way to replace the Gila River Bridge on SR 79 in Florence. Each weekend, five separate segments of bridge were slid together to create the new structure. Work began on the new $22.1 million bridge in February 2022 by constructing new piers under the existing structure. Then, new bridge segments were constructed on either side of the existing bridge. Once the new segments were ready, they were slid into place. You can also check out the time lapse video of the slide! 

Number 9: Fall foliage in Arizona. The four seasons don’t always work the same way here as they do in other parts of the country. But that doesn’t mean we can’t experience them all without a little road trip! October might be the best time to see fall colors in the high country, but thanks to Arizona’s many mini-climates, you could see leaves changing all around the state well into December. Take a ride down some of our scenic roads and see for yourself! 

Number 8: Winter driving in Arizona’s high country. This blog we published in January becomes relevant again as winter weather heads our way once more. Traveling in the winter is serious business and it’s important to pack a kit in your vehicle for all the “just in cases'' you might encounter. A fully-charged cell phone, extra food and water, necessary medications, prescriptions and a first-aid kit are just a few of the items you should be taking as you venture out into the winter wonderland of Arizona’s high country. And don’t forget to check your windshield wipers, fluids and lights before hitting the road! 

Number 7: ADOT on Jeopardy! If we had a nickel for everytime ADOT infrastructure was mentioned on Jeopardy!, well, we’d have two nickels. That isn’t a lot, but it is odd that it happened twice! In July, the category was “Road” and the clue was: “In Phoenix, The Stack is the name for the interchange where I-17, going north-south, meets this east-west interstate.” The correct response, of course, is Interstate 10. Then in September, the category was “Same first and last letter geography” and the clue: “Driving I-40 from Winslow to Kingman, you might want to stop in this city and maybe take in the Museum of Northern Arizona.” The answer is Flagstaff. 

Number 6: Revisiting the Devil’s Highway. For Halloween this year, we dug into our archives and found some compelling, but definitely spooky, pictures of the former US 666. The route traveled through several states in the southwest as an offshoot of Route 66. Here in Arizona, it went from Douglas to Sanders. If that sounds familiar to you, that’s because today that road is known as US 191. Creepy supernatural tales prevailed throughout the highway’s existence, like UFO sightings, mysterious ghostly hitchhikers and packs of demon dogs. After years of negative connotations and a high rate of sign theft, US 666 was officially decommissioned nationwide in 2003.

Number 5: The Ultimate Bridge Takedown. In April, we made a great leap forward in the progress of the Broadway Curve Improvement project. In one weekend, three bridges were taken down to make room for already completed new ones. This blog served as a preview for the “Ready to Rubble” event, detailing the work happening and warning motorists that I-10 would be closed all weekend in order to prepare for these bridge takedowns. Learn more about the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project at i10broadwaycurve.com.

Number 4: 48 songs about the 48th State. Sometimes we like to have a little fun with our Spotify account. This year, we crafted an ode to Arizona that ran the gamut of decades and genres to bring you a playlist of 48 desert-dwelling tunes. Sure, there’s plenty more AZ songs than 48, but what a fitting tribute to the 48th state. You’ll hear hits from mega-stars like Lady Gaga, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen. Plus ditties from hometown heroes The Format, Jimmy Eat World and Gin Blossoms. So take this playlist with you on your next Arizona road trip!

Number 3: Ten most popular plates for 2022. More than 770,000 specialty license plates were ordered in Calendar Year 2022 and we tallied up the top ten in February. The veterans, first responder and Arizona Highways plates were the most-ordered plates. Specialty plates cost $25 for an initial fee and annual renewal, with $17 of the fee going directly to the charitable organization. Order your own specialty plate and support a great cause at azmvdnow.gov.

Number 2: Flex lanes coming to I-17. In 2025, Arizona will have its very first flex lanes along I-17 between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. These new lanes will run adjacent to the existing southbound lanes, separated by a concrete barrier. Once completed, the flex lanes will typically be open northbound Monday through Saturday and southbound on Sunday, but will open as needed due to traffic and events and crashes that affect traffic flow. In addition to the flex lanes, the I-17 Improvement Project will see 15 miles of roadway widening between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City plus bridge improvements along the entire 23-mile project corridor between Anthem Way and Sunset Point. Stay up to date on the project by visiting ImprovingI17.com.

And a drumroll please!

The number one most read article this year was: Driver license makeover! After about a decade with the same design, Arizona’s driver licenses and IDs got a refresh this spring. They not only come with a fresh, new look, but they also have added security features to help reduce the ability of counterfeit copies and fraudulent uses. The new cards are made from a 100% polycarbonate material and features a laser-engraved black and white photograph, which is much harder to alter. The new look also highlights several state-famous items, like the Grand Canyon, a saguaro cactus, a Ponderosa pine tree and a ringtail, Arizona’s state mammal. Update your license to the new design by requesting a duplicate license, or upgrade to the new design by getting your Travel ID.