ADOT Blog

A new annual report shows that the number of fatalities on Arizona’s highways and local roads increased during 2011… According to ADOT’s most recent “Crash Facts” report, 825 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the state last year – an 8.7 percent increase from last year’s figure.

ADOT installed the 160-ton, 600-foot long bridge over two nights in June next to the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal.

Ordinarily, an excavation like this would have to wait until ADOT had a highway construction project to work on (lane widening, new freeway construction, etc.) -- that way the cost would be included in the project’s scope. But this site’s a little different…

ADOT does a lot of digging, but we have to be very careful not to disturb any historic (or prehistoric) sites that could be at a potential project site. That’s where the ADOT Historic Preservation Team comes in. As a part of ADOT’s Environmental Planning Group, this team is in place to make sure all ADOT projects adhere to state and federal historic preservation laws.

We’ve got some great news to share … Arizona has been awarded $3.4 million in federal discretionary grants for projects that will improve roadways and add infrastructure in seven communities around the state! The local projects, all designed to enhance mobility and safety, are aimed at creating jobs and spurring economic growth, while enhancing Arizona’s transportation system.

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but it is really, really hot out there … A lot of us are lucky to work indoors during the warmest parts of the day (thank goodness for air-conditioning!), but here at ADOT many employees are stationed outside to work.

Sound walls are built to block sound waves and … actually, that’s about all they’re designed to do. Despite serving pretty much just one single purpose, sound walls are important features in freeway design – especially to those living near a freeway.

The new interchange and realignment will feature wider entrance and exit ramps with traffic signals, overpass bridges that will provide for future growth, and a design that will accommodate a future project to add a westbound I-10 climbing lane starting at the Ocotillo Road exit east of SR 90.

Judging from the video above, crews have been busy since we last checked in on the SR 260 widening project east of Payson… Go watch the video from a year ago to compare with today’s and see if you agree (we’ll wait right here!).

This might sound cliché, but ADOT really is getting rid of the old to make room for the new… It’s happening right now on the San Carlos Apache reservation as ADOT crews construct a new bridge to replace the US 70 Gila River Bridge at Bylas.