Protecting native plants along I-10 in the Broadway Curve

PHOENIX – Months before construction begins on reconstruction of Interstate 10 through the Broadway Curve, the Arizona Department of Transportation is identifying native plants to preserve along an 11-mile section of the freeway.

Crews are examining an estimated 2,500 trees along I-10 between Interstate 17 and the Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) to identify state-protected plants -- such as ocotillo and saguaro and barrel cactus -- and native trees, including palo verde, mesquite and ironwood. Plants will be relocated into temporary nurseries during construction so they can be transplanted when work is complete.

“Protecting the natural Arizona environment is an important part of our work,” said Robert Samour, senior deputy state engineer and leader of ADOT’s Major Projects Group. “There were more than 1,000 plants along the South Mountain Freeway that we maintained for more than three years and replanted after construction to preserve the plants and the beautiful landscape.”

Crews will remove plants near I-10 to clear the way for construction of new freeway lanes and other improvements.

ADOT anticipates construction will begin this summer on the Valley’s first urban freeway reconstruction project. Over the next several months, crews will relocate utility lines and continue design work as preparations continue on one of the largest freeway construction projects in Arizona history. ADOT anticipates construction will be complete by late 2024.

In January, ADOT signed a $615.6 million contract with a joint venture of Pulice Construction, FNF Construction and Flatiron Constructors to design and construct the project, with T.Y. Lin International Group as the lead designer. The improvements will enhance safety, reduce travel time, ease access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and support the local, regional and state economies.

Improvements include:

• Widening I-10 to six general purpose lanes and two HOV lanes between 24th Street and US 60 (Superstition Freeway).
• Building collector-distributor roads between Baseline Road and 40th Street to separate local traffic from through traffic on I-10. 
• Adding an additional general purpose lane on I-10 from US 60 to Ray Road and keeping the HOV lane.
• Modifying I-10 connections at State Route 143, Broadway Road and US 60 to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Adding two bridges for pedestrians and bicyclists over I-10 between Baseline and Broadway roads and improving the Sun Circle Trail crossing at Guadalupe Road.

The I-10 Broadway Curve improvement project is funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

For more information on the project, visit i10broadwaycurve.com.