Work to resume on Araby Road roundabouts in Yuma

YUMA – After a five-month break to accommodate winter agriculture traffic, Arizona Department of Transportation crews in Yuma are resuming a project converting the Araby Road interchange at Interstate 8 to modern roundabouts.

Utility work will begin Monday, March 26, on the south side of I-8, with construction of a new roundabout set to begin in May. The roundabout, which is scheduled for completion by November, will connect the eastbound I-8 ramps, Araby Road and Gila Ridge Road.

Last fall, crews completed a roundabout serving the north side of I-8 and connecting with Araby with the westbound I-8 ramps. The roundabouts enhance safety and improve traffic flow. They are designed to accommodate large trucks, farming equipment and recreational vehicles.

Beginning Monday and continuing until Friday, March 30, relocation of fiber-optic lines will restrict northbound Araby to one lane from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The maximum vehicle width during the work is 12 feet. With delays possible, drivers should consider alternate routes, including Fortuna Road to the east and Avenue 3E to the west.

Araby Road, also known as State Route 195, connects I-8 and the San Luis Port of Entry and is a vital corridor for international commerce. The interchange is one of the busiest intersections along I-8 in Yuma, used by about 22,000 vehicles per day. The new design is expected to accommodate increasing traffic in the area through at least 2035.