State Transportation Board approves 2022-2026 Five-Year Construction Program

PHOENIX – Four corridors for passenger and freight traffic will be expanded and improved under the Arizona Department of Transportation’s five-year construction program approved Friday by the State Transportation Board.

The 2022-2026 Five-Year Program, which also includes more than $1 billion in pavement preservation projects, will fund several projects to widen highways and improve safety that include:

• Adding lanes along Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point, with construction on the $328 million project beginning in 2022.
• Replacing the Gila River bridges on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. Construction for that $83 million project is targeted for 2023.
• Constructing the first phase of the I-40/US 93 West Kingman interchange. The $70 million project is expected to begin by 2024.
• Widening US 93 between Tegner Street and Wickenburg Ranch Way. The $41 million project is scheduled for 2022.

Funding of more than $1 billion on pavement preservation projects will bring 581 lane miles of pavement from fair and poor condition to good condition.

The widening projects on I-17 and I-10 are advancing through ADOT’s partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning agency that has committed some of the funds for those improvements.

“I want to thank the Board for their thoughtful consideration and approval of this plan that works to address the need for new infrastructure while maintaining existing highways, all within the constraints of limited funding resources,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The improvements to these Key Commerce Corridors represent two of the most critical transportation priorities in Arizona. The additional lanes are important to improve safety and efficiency while the state continues to attract jobs, businesses and economic growth. At the same time, ADOT is investing most rural highway funding to preserve existing roads and bridges to keep them in good condition for the movement of people and freight."

The plan was approved in a virtual meeting following a three-month period for the public to provide feedback. Arizonans submitted more than 1,000 comments on projects across the state.

The 2022-2026 Five-Year Program allows ADOT to reach its goal of allocating $320 million per year for rehabilitation of bridges and roadways throughout the state highway system. These projects include repaving and repairing highways, along with repairing or reconstructing bridges. The plan also includes $407 million over five years for projects that improve highway safety, efficiency and functionality, such as smart technology or addition of shoulders.

The State Transportation Board’s approval of the Five-Year Program followed a call for public comment in March and four virtual public hearings. In general, major projects begin as part of the agency’s long-range visioning process, move into a six- to 10-year development program and then become part of the Five-Year Program. The Program is developed by working closely with local and regional planning organizations and community leaders to identify projects that are ready to build or design.

Funding for the Five-Year Program is generated by the users of transportation services, primarily through gasoline and diesel fuel taxes and the vehicle license tax. Both the Maricopa and Pima County regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales taxes that allow for more expansion projects to take place in those areas.

The 2022-2026 Five-Year Program can be found at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.