Cold temperatures put some projects on hold for the season

Winter weather in Arizona can get pretty severe and in some spots the conditions are enough to bring ADOT construction to a halt…

Projects are put on pause in the state’s high country when it becomes too cold to pour concrete or place asphalt pavement (rubberized asphalt is very sensitive to temperature variations)

And, like we said in this post from last year, just because a project goes on hiatus our crews don’t just drop what they’re doing…

Work stops at a logical point and the work zone is generally left in a condition that doesn’t impede traffic – drivers may notice some barricades and should be aware as they’re driving through project sites.

ADOT workers who manage or inspect the projects either switch gears to next-year’s planning, or are reassigned to maintenance for the season.

Here’s a list of projects that have either already been suspended for the winter, or will be stopped soon:

• I-15 paving project in northwestern Arizona (ADOT will return in the spring to apply the top layer of asphalt when weather is optimal. The final phase of the project will take about one month to complete and is expected to begin in late March 2013.)
• Reconstruction of the I-17 traffic interchange at Munds Park (the project is nearly finished, but crews will return in 2013 to apply the top layer of asphalt pavement).
• SR 77 paving project from Shumway through Snowflake.
• A westbound I-10 pavement project that encompasses 14 miles from the east end of Texas Canyon to the east side of Benson (will shut down for the winter months and then wrap up with the final surface coat when it warms up).
• I-10/SR 90 traffic interchange project (will shut down for the winter months and then wrap up with the final surface coat when it warms up).
• SR 260 Doubtful Canyon project – the project team is preparing for winter shutdown due to inclement weather, but not necessarily completely shutting down the project.

Besides what is listed above, there are several projects that could be shut down if an area receives too much snow, or if temperatures drop low enough to make it too cold for crews to work.

For more on how ADOT operates during the cold season, check out our previous blog posts. And, for tools, maps and other information designed to assist you this winter, visit ADOT’s Know Snow Web page.

Don’t forget … you can always learn about the latest highway conditions by visiting the ADOT Travel Information site at az511.gov or by calling 511.