PHOENIX – Many Arizonans have reported receiving a scam text about their driver license needing to be updated.

This text did not come from the Arizona Department of Transportation and is a phony attempt to get people to hand over their personal identifying information. Do not open this text or any web address associated with it. This is a scam and you should never click on unsolicited or suspicious links in texts or emails.

The only ADOT website customers should conduct personal business on is AZMVDNow.gov or ServiceArizona.com. 

If anyone believes they have been victimized by this scam, the Arizona Attorney General's Office recommends either contacting local law enforcement on a non-emergency line or filing a criminal complaint with the Arizona Attorney General.

ADOT is working with the Arizona Department of Administration and law enforcement in an effort to protect our customers.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to make the trucking industry a priority during the public health emergency.

“We recognize the valuable – and in many cases life-saving – work being done by the men and women in the trucking industry who ensure that essential medical equipment, food and so many other necessities are delivered to our Arizona communities,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “In support of that, ADOT continues to take steps to make it easier for trucking professionals to do their jobs, while maintaining standards that make Arizona’s roadways safe.”

ADOT has provided relief to truck drivers by:

• Giving priority to commercial driver license renewals at MVD offices.
• Deferring requirements to submit a medical clearance card through Feb. 28, 2021.
• Honoring Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association waivers and extensions during the public health emergency.

ADOT also engaged in other efforts to assist the trucking industry during the public health emergency, such as adding nearly 100 permanent truck parking spaces to the Haviland and Meteor Crater rest areas along Interstate 40 and allowing food trucks to operate at several ADOT rest areas, giving truck drivers access to food and meals.

For Immediate Release: Dec. 21, 2020
Contact: ADOT Public Information Office
[email protected]

South Mountain Freeway marks first anniversary
State’s largest freeway construction project opened in December 2019

PHOENIX – Just one year ago the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opened to great fanfare, with a grand opening ceremony led by Governor Doug Ducey and other Arizona leaders a few days before it was opened to traffic on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019.

It’s first year, like many other things during the year of the pandemic, has been much quieter.

A year since the freeway’s opening, the 22-mile South Mountain Freeway provides an alternate route for drivers traveling from one side of the Phoenix area to the other who want to avoid potential congestion in the downtown area. It was the final piece of the Loop 101 and 202 freeway system that circles the Phoenix area.

The freeway has received positive feedback from drivers and businesses for providing a faster, simpler route across the Valley. 

With many people working from home, traffic on the freeway has been lighter than expected in the first year. At the beginning of December 2020, nearly 60,000 vehicles were using the freeway each day, about half of the projected traffic. Valleywide, freeways experienced a 50% drop in traffic in mid-2020, and have rebounded to carry about 75-85% of normal traffic in recent months.  

The lighter traffic also has delayed the use of ramp meters on some on-ramps in the West Valley. Ramp meters have been installed at seven locations but they have not been activated.

Ramp meters are located on southbound entrance ramps at Van Buren Street and Buckeye, Broadway and Baseline roads, and northbound at Buckeye and Lower Buckeye roads and Southern Avenue.

Work on the freeway itself was completed in October 2020 with the opening of an interchange at 32nd Street and a 6-mile shared-use path. Work continues on some surface streets adjacent to the freeway throughout the corridor.

Using an innovative public-private partnership for the state’s largest-ever highway project, ADOT was able to open the 22-mile freeway three years earlier than if it had been built as a series of traditional projects. The agreement also allowed ADOT to deliver the $1.7 billion South Mountain Freeway at a cost savings of more than $100 million.

This was Arizona’s first highway project built using a public-private partnership, which combined design, construction and maintenance in a single contract. Connect 202 Partners, the developer chosen for the project, will maintain the South Mountain Freeway for the next 30 years under the agreement.

The South Mountain Freeway has long been part of the region’s transportation plans. It was funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. 

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PHOENIX — When snow begins to fall, trained Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow operators will work around the clock to keep the roads safe. Ever-evolving technology incorporated into the snowplows help give the operators a leg up during their 12-hour shifts.

This year, 25 of ADOT’s snowplows have been equipped with new cameras that can stream a live feed back to district offices. These new cameras are another technological innovation to help ADOT be more aware of road conditions along different stretches of highway. They will help decision makers like district engineers and maintenance superintendents be able to see what the plow drivers are seeing.

ADOT districts will be able to see what conditions are like in neighboring districts and make plans to get a jump on snowplow deployment.

Many of ADOT’s nearly 200 snowplows also include auxiliary cab heaters to keep drivers warm while not idling and wasting fuel; heated windshields to prevent wipers from freezing and getting stuck; backup cameras and a camera and laser guidance system to help guide operators; state-of-the-art lighting packages, and front flex plows that can bend in different configurations to remove snow.

ADOT’s 400 snowplow drivers undergo extensive training so they can keep state highways safe. Now that we’re in the season for winter storms to potentially hit, it’s time for you to get to Know Snow by reviewing ADOT’s safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

For starters, slow down when roads are slick with snow and ice, leaving extra room behind the vehicle ahead. Take a fully charged cell phone, warm clothing and an emergency kit that includes blankets, food and water, medication and sand or kitty litter.

Check your vehicle before heading out in winter weather, making sure – at a minimum – that the tires, heater and windshield wipers are in good shape.

Before traveling, research weather conditions to determine whether it would be smarter to sit out a storm so ADOT’s snowplows can clear highways. Check road conditions by calling 511 or visiting az511.gov. ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) provide real-time information and interaction. 

While ADOT’s snowplow operators are ready to help you, you should help them in return. Always respect the plow. Avoid passing a snowplow that’s clearing a highway until the driver pulls over to let traffic pass, and never assume a snowplow operator knows your vehicle is nearby. If you can’t see the plow driver, there’s a good chance the driver can’t see you.

Remember: The safest place on a highway when it’s snowing is trailing a safe distance behind a snowplow.

Before traveling, start your winter season with a visit to azdot.gov/KnowSnow so you can Know Snow in Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has issued its 2020 report on sustainability in transportation. 

The agency is committed to using resources more efficiently in order to maintain and operate a robust, economically beneficial transportation network. Through continuous improvement practices, ADOT strategically invests resources to achieve the highest possible return. 

ADOT is committed to delivering transportation solutions in a more sustainable manner to achieve economic, social, and environmental goals. In recent years ADOT has moved from identifying to now implementing sustainable strategies in areas of administrative, planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance. 

A major portion of the report details the agency’s participation in the U.S. Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool. More details can be found at this link: /business/environmental-planning/programs/sustainable-transportation/sustainable-transportation

The areas ADOT will focus on in 2021 are outlined in the report. Among the goals are increased usage  of LED lighting, exploring solar energy on ADOT right-of-way, and liking sustainability with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), public involvement, and planning. In addition a large focus has been placed on continuing the introduction and adoption of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA).

More information about the ADOT Sustainable Transportation Program can be found here:  /node/5561.

Arizona Highways, the world-renowned magazine published by the Arizona Department of Transportation, has earned more recognition for its excellence in words, pictures and design.

In its annual awards program, the International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) awarded Arizona Highways a total of 19 honors in categories including essay writing, illustration, photography and art direction. The magazine also received an Award of Merit for its February 2019 feature celebrating the 100th anniversary of the designation of Grand Canyon as a national park.

This is the sixth straight year that Arizona Highways has received at least 16 IRMA awards. 

“We are privileged to live in a state known not only for its iconic beauty but for its rich and diverse mixture of history and colorful personalities,” said Kelly Mero, publisher of Arizona Highways. “Arizona, its people and its history are the real stars of the show and make it possible for us to receive awards like these. This recognition is testament to that - and to the tremendous people both inside and outside of ADOT who collaborate to make Arizona Highways come alive every month.”

IRMA is a non-profit association of 25 regional magazines from across North America. This is the 40th annual awards competition, and entries are judged by a panel of magazine industry experts from outside of IRMA. 

Arizona Highways received the following awards:

Gold award winners:

Essay: Prayers for Snow | December 2019 | Craig Childs

Nature & Environment Feature: Hanging on for Dear Life | October 2019 | Annette McGivney

Art & Culture Feature: These Generations of Weaving | March 2019 | Danielle Geller

Headline & Deck: Great Balls of Fire | April 2019 | Robert Stieve

General Feature: The Unsettling Story of Ken Patrick | January 2020 | Robert Stieve

Silver award winners: 

Profiles: Esther Henderson & Chuck Abbott | September 2019 | Matt Jaffe

Historic Feature: The Early Photographers | September 2019 | Robert Stieve

Magazine Writer of the Year: Matt Jaffe

Magazine Photographer of the Year: Jack Dykinga

Art Direction Single Story: Sandwich Tour | April 2019 | Keith Whitney

Overall Art Direction: March 2019 | April 2019 | January 2020

Department: The Journal | January 2020 | February 2020 | March 2020

Bronze award winners: 

Photo Series (35,000 or more): Not Just Any Old Place | February | Edited by Jeff Kida

Portrait Photo: Wally Brown | March 2019 | Mylo Fowler

Illustration: Wildflowers (series) | March 2020 | Dyana Hesson

Column: July 2019, August 2019, February 2020 | Robert Stieve

Travel Feature: No Exit Route | November 2019 | Morgan Sjogren

Cover: March 2019

Award of Merit:

Special Focus: Grand Canyon Centennial | February 2019

Founded in 1925, Arizona Highways is dedicated to promoting travel to and through the state of Arizona. In addition to the world-renowned magazine known for spectacular landscape photography, Arizona Highways publishes travel guide books, calendars and other products to promote travel in Arizona. The magazine has subscribers in all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Learn more at ArizonaHighways.com

PHOENIX – Pavement repairs continue, as do highway construction and improvement projects. For long-haul drivers delivering essential goods, rest areas offer truck parking and facilities. Crews patrol Phoenix-area freeways to quickly clear crashes and help stranded motorists.

Along nearly 7,000 miles of state highways, Arizona Department of Transportation employees continue providing a safe and reliable transportation system as part of the state’s pandemic response.

“Throughout it all, ADOT staff – from every corner of the state – remain committed to supporting the people of Arizona and those who are moving critical goods into and through our state,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We remain committed to supporting Governor Ducey and his leadership as we navigate this situation together, as a state.”

ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division is continuing to assist customers and protect employees by limiting office visits to those needing transactions that must be done in person and by offering those visits by appointment only. Meanwhile, most motor vehicle transactions don’t require an office visit and can be performed at any time by visiting ServiceArizona.com.

At ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center, dispatchers are on duty 24/7 to monitor the freeways and highways across the state for incidents, deploy personnel as needed to keep traffic moving and share critical information on overhead message boards. ADOT’s social media channels, including Twitter (@ArizonaDOT), are real-time sources of information and interaction. Information on highway conditions is available at any time by visiting ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or calling 511.

ADOT’s rest areas remain open with crews providing heightened sanitary protocols such as more frequent cleanings and regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, sinks and faucets. Rest areas are especially important to commercial drivers who use truck parking there to get their required rest.

At ADOT’s commercial ports of entry, officers and other staff handling safety inspections and permitting are helping the Arizona Department of Public Safety support the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's emergency declaration providing regulatory relief for trucks involved in emergency assistance.

Around the state, maintenance crews are repairing pavement and guardrails, removing rockfall and performing other work to keep highways operating safely. ADOT construction and improvement projects are moving forward as well, with no anticipated disruptions.

On Valley freeways, members of ADOT’s Incident Response Unit are on patrol to assist motorists and quickly clear crashes, helping to reduce the chance of secondary crashes by getting traffic moving.

From job sites to offices, ADOT employees are observing social distancing guidelines and taking precautions such as workers using the same vehicles every day. Many meetings involving groups are moving to video conferencing or conference calls.

ADOT is also exploring virtual options for public meetings and public hearings on highway projects and studies. With the public comment period for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program underway, the public can provide input via an online form at azdot.gov/tentative5year, by email at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov and by phone at 855.712.8530. The public comment period lasts from March 20 through 5 p.m. on June 2.

The new year will usher in a new way for Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division customers to get license plates, registration tabs and many documents such as vehicle titles.

Beginning in January, customers will receive these items through the U.S. Mail and will no longer be able to obtain them at an MVD or Authorized Third Party office. Customers should make sure their address is current and complete with the U.S. Postal Service and MVD. 

“The MVD needs to be well-positioned for the growth of e-commerce,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser Richards. “Distributing items such as license plates, tabs, title work and other documents allows us to prepare for the growing demand for fulfilling customer orders through the mail as MVD continues to increase the number of services available online, anytime.”

All registration documents and license plate tabs, including those issued today at MVD self-service kiosks will be mailed. When customers renew, their record is updated instantly and a receipt will be proof of registration.

For customers getting a license plate, the change will also mean the plate number will be entered into the customer’s service file and the temporary plate issued at the office will have the same number as the permanent plate being mailed.

Customers who purchase Off-Highway Vehicle decals the same day they plan to use them at a recreational area will not receive the decal at the office, but will get a receipt that should be kept with them to prove the decals have been purchased. 

In the future, more vehicle titles will transition to an electronic process. Currently, a limited number of title transfers such as one-owner to one-owner transfers of Arizona-registered vehicles can already be done entirely online through AZ MVD Now, which is available through ServiceArizona.com.

For more information: MVD System Changes link at azdot.gov/mvd.

The vision of the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is to “get Arizona out of line and safely on the road”. Dedicated MVD employees, Authorized Third Party providers and offering more services online help MVD achieve this vision.

PHOENIX – More Arizonans are getting the AZ Travel ID than ever before.

Data released by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division show that the number of the federally-compliant AZ Travel IDs issued at MVD and Authorized Third Party offices has jumped considerably, from less than 20 percent in January to 65 percent now.

“An increase of 45 percent in less than a year is a testament to customer service professionals doing an excellent job,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “But our message is still, ‘Will your license fly?’”

“Arizonans who don’t have the AZ Travel ID risk being stopped at TSA airport checkpoints when new federal ID rules take effect on October 1, 2020,” he added. “On that date, the federal government has made it clear that anyone without a federally-compliant ID will not pass through TSA checkpoints and could miss their flight. In addition, MVD and Authorized Third Party providers want to avoid a rush of customers as the deadline gets closer.”

The AZ Travel ID meets the requirements of the 2005 federal REAL ID Act. The law requires people to provide documentation such as an original birth certificate or valid Passport to prove identification; proof of Social Security number (including all nine digits), and two pieces of documentation such as a utility bill, rental agreement or similar paperwork that shows a person’s physical address (not a P.O. Box).

Customers are encouraged to start the documentation process at aztravelid.com and may schedule an appointment at an MVD location through ServiceArizona.com, though walk-ins are also welcome. Many Authorized Third Party locations provide driver license services including the Travel ID. Information on those locations is also available at ServiceArizona.com.

Jorgensen concluded, “We know some people rarely, if ever, plan to travel by air, but it’s still important to think about getting the AZ Travel ID anyway. Unexpected events requiring air travel can occur and having the AZ Travel ID is the most efficient and cost-effective solution.”

For more information: azdot.gov/travelid.