ADOT upgrades rest areas through rehabilitation program

PHOENIX – Rest areas around the state are necessary to give respite to travelers and truck drivers on trips across Arizona’s highways. The Arizona Department of Transportation has engaged in a rest area rehabilitation program to ensure rest areas are able to meet the needs of drivers for years to come.

The $17.4 million program began two years ago with the Sunset Point rest area along I-17 north of Phoenix. The project included drilling a new water well and refurbishing the plumbing system. Bouse Wash rest area along I-10 west between Phoenix and the California state line was completed a few months ago, featuring new water pumps and refurbished plumbing as well as structural rehabilitation.

The Hassayampa rest area near Wickenburg was completed at the end of June and travelers can take advantage of refurbished plumbing and a repaved parking lot.

The McGuireville rest area located along I-17 south of Flagstaff recently completed its rehabilitation project. The rest area, which received a new well and new water pumps, reopened to the public last week.

The next rest area planned to undergo rehabilitation is the Salt River Canyon rest area along US 60 between Globe and Show Low. This rest area has been closed for a few years due to extensive repair needs for which there was no funding. Now that funding is available, the rest area will receive new water pumps, structural repairs and upgraded standard toilets to replace the current composting toilets. The project is currently in the design phase and is anticipated to start construction next summer.

The rehabilitation projects at the Burnt Well and Ehrenberg rest areas along I-10 west of Phoenix are also in the design phase and anticipated to start sometime early next year. When construction begins, only one rest area will be closed at a time to help accommodate travelers.

These rehabilitation projects are not related to the recent public-private partnership contract with Infrastructure Corporation of America to maintain ADOT’s rest areas. These rehabilitation projects will help ensure that rest areas along Arizona’s highways will be functional and available to travelers when they need them.