A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is based on a standard diamond interchange common in Arizona, but with one major difference —traffic shifts briefly on the left side of the road between highway ramps, allowing left turns without crossing oncoming traffic. The freeway will feature two half-DDIs in the Pecos Segment, as there are no connection points to the south. Features of a DDI:
A shared-use path is a physically separated path adjacent to a highway. It accommodates pedestrians, bicyclists and other forms of non-vehicular traffic. The 20-foot wide shared-use path is being constructed between 40th Street and 17th Avenue directly south of the freeway in the Pecos Segment. While C202P is responsible for the design and construction of the shared-use path, the city of Phoenix will be responsible for maintaining the path. Additionally, the shared-use path will provide connectivity complementing the city of Phoenix Comprehensive Bicycle Master Plan.
Interchange locations were determined during the environmental phase of the project, based on traffic modeling and regional mobility needs. During this process, ADOT coordinated with the city of Phoenix and a Citizens Advisory Team to identify interchange locations. Initially, interchanges were not planned for 32nd Street and Vee Quiva Way. The interchanges were added to the project after construction began in 2016 at the request of area residents, businesses and other key stakeholders and following a re-evaluation of the environmental study.
Fifteen traffic interchanges will be located at the following major street crossings:
Since the P3 method encourages innovation and optimization of efficiencies, the current freeway design incorporates some changes from the early design concepts that minimize the right of way impacts while increasing safety and reducing traffic restrictions during construction. Innovation and efficiency examples throughout the freeway corridor include:
Half diverging diamond interchanges at Desert Foothills Parkway and 17th Avenue
Modifying interchanges to improve traffic operations and minimize right of way requirements
Yes. The state retains ownership of the SMF, and C202P is granted a non-exclusive license (not ownership) for 30 years to access and use the freeway and its structures to carry out operations and maintenance. C202P must return to the state a freeway in excellent condition at the end of the maintenance period in 2050. Although C202P must maintain the freeway, ADOT can make improvements, if warranted, at its own cost.
C202P is the developer responsible for the design, building and maintenance of the SMF for 30 years after completion of construction. The team consists of Fluor Enterprises Inc., Granite Construction Co. and Ames Construction Inc., with WSP Inc. as the lead designer.
A P3 refers to the contractual agreement between a public agency and a private sector entity to have greater participation in the delivery of a transportation project. By securing a P3, the entire SMF project can be constructed as one project rather than nine, as originally scheduled, which accelerated project delivery by at least three years. For additional information on the P3 process please visit the P3 Initiatives page.
The freeway was funded by state, federal and local dollars. It is not tolled. The final design, construction and 30-year maintenance of the freeway occurred through a public-private partnership (P3) agreement with C202P. This P3 not only expedited construction, but also reduced the overall cost. This project would have cost an estimated $100 million more than it did if ADOT had not utilized a P3 and the design-build project delivery method.
A right red arrow means No Right on Red, and should be treated as a red traffic light, per the Arizona Driver’s License Manual. This means traffic cannot turn right on red and must remain stopped until the arrow turns green.