Comment period to begin for ADOT Tentative Five-Year Construction Program

PHOENIX – Two major interstate corridors for passenger and freight traffic would receive funding for expansion and improvement during the next five years as part of the proposed annual update to the Arizona Department of Transportation's lineup of projects that will be available for public comment beginning Friday, March 15. 

The 2020-2024 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program allocates funding for additional lanes along Interstate 17 between Anthem and Sunset Point, with construction beginning in 2020. The program also provides funding for design, scoping and an environmental assessment to widen Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. Construction for that project is targeted for 2023.

Both projects are able to advance through ADOT’s partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning agency that has committed some of the funds for the I-17 and I-10 improvements.  

“ADOT’s partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments underscores both agencies’ commitment to moving people and freight safely and efficiently every day on these two Key Commerce Corridors,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Improving Interstate 10 and Interstate 17 will better connect Arizona to major markets, position our state for jobs, attract businesses, and foster economic growth and prosperity.”

The 2020-2024 Tentative Five-Year Program also reaches ADOT’s goal of allocating $260 million to $320 million per year for preservation of bridges and roadways throughout the $22.4 billion state highway system. Preservation projects include repaving highways, filling potholes, extending the life cycle of existing pavement, and repairing or reconstructing bridges.

The public comment period for the 2020-2024 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program begins Friday, March 15, and ends at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. It includes public hearings in Tucson (Friday, March 15), Flagstaff (Friday, April 12) and Phoenix (Friday, May 17). The State Transportation Board will make its final decision in June about what will be in the updated Five-Year Program.

The complete report, posted with a “how to read it” guide, will be available on Friday, March 15, at azdot.gov for review and comment. ADOT welcomes feedback via an online form that will be available Friday, March 15, at azdot.gov/Tentative5Year, by email at [email protected] and by phone at 855.712.8530.

Here are the details for the three public hearings, a follow-up study session and the State Transportation Board’s June meeting where the final Five-Year Program will be approved. All hearings begin at 9 a.m.:

March 15: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting at the City of Tucson Council Chambers, 255 W. Alameda St., Tucson

April 12: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff

May 17: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting in the ADOT Administration Building Auditorium, 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix

June 4: State Transportation Board study session in the ADOT Administration Building Auditorium, 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix

June 21: State Transportation Board meeting at the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside Council Chambers, 325 W. White Mountain Blvd., Lakeside