From the Archive

From the Archives: Work Zone Safety in the 60s, 70s and 80s

From the Archives: Work Zone Safety in the 60s, 70s and 80s

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From the Archives: Work Zone Safety in the 60s, 70s and 80s

From the Archives: Work Zone Safety in the 60s, 70s and 80s

March 25, 2015

Here are two Flagstaff-area work zones. The photo at left was taken in 1979 and the photo at right was snapped in 1968.

For as long as there have been roads, there have been work zones. While those early projects might have looked a little different from what we see today, motorists have been navigating near construction crews and work sites for a very long time.

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Taken in June 1980, this photo shows work happening on I-17 near Camp Verde.

We don’t have photos showing construction of the state’s earliest highways, but we do have some work zone shots from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Seeing that it is National Work Zone Awareness Week, we thought now would be a good time to share.

As you can see, Arizona’s highway system has grown in the past few decades – Interstate 17 certainly looks very different now!

We know that the drivers in the photographs didn’t have the ADOT website to turn to for construction updates. They didn’t have az511.gov or social media either (can you even imagine?). We hope that they knew to slow down, pay attention and expect the unexpected in the work zone – it was important back then and it’s important now.

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Construction on I-40 in Holbrook from back in August 1979.

Luckily, today’s drivers have all those resources. Motorists of 2015 can also visit ADOT’s Work-Zone safety page for tips on how to maneuver safely through a work zone.

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It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

 

From the Archives: Smooth Roads

From the Archives: Smooth Roads

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From the Archives: Smooth Roads

From the Archives: Smooth Roads

January 14, 2015

Taken in 1968, this photograph shows a vehicle used to measure road smoothness.

Smooth roads are a top ADOT priority and they have been for some time, even back in 1968 when these photos were taken…

Not sure what you’re looking at?

The vehicle in the photograph at right houses a “bumpmeter,” more officially known as a Mays Ride Meter. It was used by the Arizona Highway Department (that’s what ADOT was known as, prior to 1973) to measure the smoothness of its roads.

According to the third edition of ADOT’s Materials Preliminary Engineering and Design Manual, the Mays Ride Meter measured the roughness of the pavement surface by recording the movement between the rear axle and the body of the car.

As you can see in the photos, the device was mounted in the trunk and actually gave a printout that correlated to the road’s bumpiness.

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The device was mounted in the trunk of the vehicle pictured at top.

The device was mounted in the trunk of the vehicle pictured at top (click photo for a larger view). The manual, which was written after 1968 and may be referring to slightly newer technology from what is pictured here, explains that, “the roadway roughness is measured in one-tenth-of-an-inch increments (counts) by a transmitter that is rigidly mounted in the trunk directly above the axle. As the rear axle moves up and down relative to the car body, the transmitter rotates and provides the counts.”

ADOT still measures all the state highways for smoothness, however, the technology is somewhat more advanced than it was in the late 60s. Currently, ADOT’s Pavement Management Section operates a van equipped with a profilometer, a sophisticated instrument that works with an onboard computer system to measure smoothness.

The profilometer looks a little more high-tech than what we’ve featured today (it even has lasers!) and is definitely worth a blog post of its own … so stay tuned for more.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the Archives: Traffic School

From the Archives: Traffic School

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From the Archives: Traffic School

From the Archives: Traffic School

November 19, 2014

Photo taken in December 1973.

Maybe you didn’t wake up this morning thinking that you’d get to see a photo from a traffic safety class held in 1973, but now that you have, aren’t you glad you got out of bed?

OK, maybe traffic school isn’t the most picturesque subject (certainly not compared to other topics we’ve covered), but it does give us the chance to segue over to our website and point out where you can find information on Traffic Survival School today.

Traffic Survival School (TSS) is designed to reach individuals who have exhibited a disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others. The TSS Program attempts to modify the behavior of these drivers by teaching them how to avoid adverse traffic situations by increasing their knowledge of Arizona traffic laws, defining their responsibilities while driving, and most importantly, improving their attitude toward safe driving.

In other words, if you run a red light, get a DUI, or have too many points against your license, you’ll be required by MVD to attend TSS in order to keep your driver license in good standing. You’ll be notified of this requirement through a Corrective Action Notice from MVD.

Additionally, courts can and do order juveniles who have exhibited poor driving behavior to attend the course (helping them to establish a lifetime of safe driving habits). Courts may also refer traffic violators to a Traffic Survival School as a condition of sentencing.

A quick note – Traffic Survival School should not be confused with Defensive Driving Schools, which are administered through the Arizona Supreme Court. Defensive Driving School is a court diversion program that allows eligible drivers to have the violation dismissed. If a driver chooses this option, and is eligible, the violation will not be included on his or her driving record and no points will be assessed for the violation.

TSS is administered by the Arizona Chapter National Safety Council, through a contract with ADOT. These schools train and assist errant drivers in the proper attitude and techniques in the operation of motor vehicles and strengthen their knowledge of state motor vehicle laws.

If you are required to attend TSS, you’ll be glad to know that the Arizona Chapter National Safety Council website makes it easy to search for classes near you. The site allows users to search for classes by address or ZIP code and you can also search by date to find a convenient time.

Now, back to that photo…

We don’t have too many details, other than the date it was taken (back in Dec. 1973) and the location (ADOT’s equipment auditorium, which was new at the time). If you zoom in close, you can read the information being presented on the board. It lists six conditions that lead to accidents, including light, weather, road, driver, vehicle and traffic.

New traffic issues have undoubtedly been added to modern curriculum since 1973, but it definitely looks like those drivers from 41 years ago were getting a good lesson!

For more information on Traffic Survival School, please visit our MVD website.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the Archives: ADOT goes to the 1968 Arizona State Fair

From the Archives: ADOT goes to the 1968 Arizona State Fair

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From the Archives: ADOT goes to the 1968 Arizona State Fair

From the Archives: ADOT goes to the 1968 Arizona State Fair

October 10, 2014

Check out the film projector used in 1968 to show traffic safety movies at the State Fair.

Can you smell the deep-fried, bacon-wrapped peanut butter cups from wherever you’re reading this blog post?

If you can, you probably already know that the Arizona State Fair begins today! Besides the fun food (yes, the deep-fried, bacon-wrapped peanut butter cups really are on the menu), the fair also brings along 130 years of tradition…

You’re likely familiar with many of the fair fundamentals – the rides, competitions, exhibits, music and special events – but you might not know the ADOT connection.

For many years, ADOT has had a presence at the Arizona State Fair. As you can see from the photos, we were there back in 1968.

If you zoom in, you’ll note that we were still called the Arizona Highway Department at that time (we didn’t become ADOT until 1974).

You’ll also notice a film projector that was used by the department’s Traffic Safety Division to show movies every hour (we wonder what they were screening).

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ADOT's display at the 1968 Arizona State Fair.

In the photo at left, we see that Roadside Development showcased informational posters and dioramas. It also looks like there was a traffic intersection controller on display.

Just like in 1968, ADOT still goes to the fair. We aren’t bringing a film projector this year, but ADOT will be hosting a booth during the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety “Public Safety Days” on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26.

More than 40 statewide safety organizations, including law enforcement agencies and fire departments, will participate during Public Safety Days. The goal is to share information to help keep you and your family safe. ADOT will be handing out construction helmets for kids, flashing buttons and information.

If you’re at the fair, we hope you’ll stop by and see how much has changed in the past 46 years! If you’d like to see what our displays looked like in 1973, check out this previous post.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the Archives: ADOT's logo

From the Archives: ADOT's logo

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From the Archives: ADOT's logo

From the Archives: ADOT's logo

July 30, 2014

The ADOT insignia from 1974.

If you traveled in time, back to 1974, the logo to the right is the one you’d see representing the Arizona Department of Transportation.

But after a journey 40 years through time, you’re not going to focus much attention on ADOT’s insignia, so we’ll give the logo its due right now, here in 2014.

What you’re looking at could very well be ADOT’s first logo.

Yes, the Arizona Highway Department was established more than 100 years ago, but the Arizona Department of Transportation wasn’t created until 1973 when the Arizona Legislature voted to combine the Arizona Highway Department with the Arizona Aeronautics Department.

This paragraph from the Arizona Transportation History report explains the “new” agency that was born:

“The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) was given authority over the state’s highways and state-owned airports, as well as a role in planning aviation, mass transit, bicycle, and even pedestrian facilities. As part of this reorganization, the Arizona Highway Commission was abolished and replaced by the Arizona Transportation Board, which henceforth would be responsible for highway construction and policy decisions at the state level.”

While 1973 was a big year for ADOT history, the rest of 1970s had plenty of milestones too…

The national energy crisis had an impact on revenues and highway construction in the 70s (you can read all about it in the Arizona Transportation History report, starting on page 70). But the decade also saw a huge population increase in the state. According to the report, almost a million newcomers arrived in Arizona during the 1970s.

There was also a lot of progress on the interstate system. From page 71 of the report:

“In 1978 Arizona highway officials celebrated their most productive year since beginning work on the interstate program 22 years earlier. Two of the state’s interstate highways were now completed: Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff and Interstate 8 between Yuma and its intersection with Interstate 10 just south of Casa Grande.

A third, Interstate 19 between Tucson and Nogales, was open to traffic, with only minor additional work remaining to be completed the following year.

The final rural segment of Interstate 10 west of Phoenix was opened to traffic in 1978, as was the new alignment of Interstate 40 between Seligman and Kingman. Both of these interstates were now largely finished and open to travel. All that remained to be built were four bypasses on Interstate 40 and the final segment of Interstate 10 through central Phoenix.”

While we’re not exactly sure how long this logo represented ADOT, we’re certain that it symbolized the agency during an eventful period in Arizona's transportation history!

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the ADOT Archives: Communicating with the Public

From the ADOT Archives: Communicating with the Public

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From the ADOT Archives: Communicating with the Public

From the ADOT Archives: Communicating with the Public

February 26, 2014

National Transportation Week Display from 1980

Back in May of 1980, ADOT marked National Transportation Week with this outstanding exhibit that was displayed inside Phoenix's Central Library.

From the three-dimensional freeway models behind glass to those nifty pennants up top, we think this thing is pretty impressive even three decades later.

But beyond appearances, the display really seems to be getting a message across.

With headings like “ADOT: A National Leader in Research” and “ADOT: Constructing Roads While Fighting Inflation,” the exhibit boards are helping tell ADOT’s story to those library patrons.

Since this blog is helping to tell ADOT’s story today, we find it particularly interesting to learn what was being communicated to the public a long time ago in a era far, far away (“The Empire Strikes Back” would be released just nine days after these photos were taken!).

So, we broke out our magnifying glass to see what is written on that top right panel. Here’s what we were able to decipher:

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National Transportation week display on ADOT's innovations from 1980

ADOT Constructing Roads While Fighting Inflation
Embracing terrain ranging from living desert to breathtaking vistas of Arizona’s Northland, the 6,000 mile State Highway System leads motorists through some of the most gorgeous scenery in America.

The roads that all of us take for granted, however have become more expensive to build and maintain in the face of double digit inflation. A Five-Year Transportation Construction Program updated annually helps the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) meet the basic needs of one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

The 1,660-mile Interstate System in Arizona is now 97% complete, progress continues on the Superstition Freeway in the Mesa area and projects are identified for improvements statewide – funds permitting.

Every aspect of Arizona’s present and future depends on the efficient movement of people and products. Indeed, transportation is the state’s “lifeline” –contributing to our collective growth and happiness.

Surprisingly, the words don’t sound too outdated. It makes us wonder what ADOT’s message will be in the year 2048!

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

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From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

January 29, 2014

This photo was taken on I-15 in December 1978.

Acrophobia, also known as a fear of heights, apparently isn’t something the man in this photo suffers from…

Working to replace a light bulb, this (we assume) ADOT employee actually looks rather comfortable suspended several feet in the air.

The photo was taken in December 1978 and, according to our notes, was snapped on I-15 near the Cedar Pocket exit.

You might remember we recently featured a vehicle that looks very similar to the one in this picture. The modern bucket truck is used primarily by ADOT’s Signal and Lighting crews to repair and maintain traffic signals and lights – same as it was 35 years ago!

Nowadays, ADOT crews wear a full-body harness and hard hat before getting lifted (it’s difficult to tell from this photo if that was the case back then). Today’s crews also go out in twos when operating a bucket truck – one person operates an arrow board/attenuator truck (to warn traffic) and one will be in the bucket making repairs to the light or signal.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the ADOT Archives: Weatherometer

From the ADOT Archives: Weatherometer

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From the ADOT Archives: Weatherometer

From the ADOT Archives: Weatherometer

October 25, 2013

This Weatherometer was in use decades ago.

Remember when we told you about ADOT’s Accelerated Weathering Tester?

It was just last month when we featured that piece of equipment and told you how ADOT’s Materials Testing team uses it to analyze paint.

Well, today we found out that something similar was being used a few decades ago...

It is called a Weatherometer and the photo below was taken in 1972. Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly when the above photo was captured – we’re guessing it’s probably from the start of the 1970s, or maybe even earlier.

These photos were snapped inside the old ADOT Chemistry lab, which we’re told is now a parking lot.

We were also informed that back then, the old Weatherometer was primarily used for asphalt evaluations. However, it was also used for paints and plastics like the accelerated weathering tester is used now.

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Taken in 1972, this photo shows a Weatherometer in ADOT's Chemistry Lab.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

From the ADOT Archives: Dust Storms

From the ADOT Archives: Dust Storms

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From the ADOT Archives: Dust Storms

From the ADOT Archives: Dust Storms

October 10, 2013

These photos were taken in 1979 during a dust storm in Phoenix.

Strong winds and blowing dust rolled through the state yesterday, reminding us that motorists in Arizona must always be ready to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”

And, judging from these photographs, that has always been the case…

Taken in 1979 at 19th Avenue and the Salt River in Phoenix, these pictures show an area before and during a pretty intense-looking dust storm.

Notice how the arrow sign and guardrail are clearly visible in the top two photos, but cannot be seen in the bottom photo where the dust storm has reduced visibility to almost zero?

Here we are, 34 years later, and drivers still face dangerous dust storms on the road.

While the ADOT Blog wasn’t around to remind drivers of what to do when encountering a low-visibility storm back in 1979, we’re here now and thought we’d share these dust storm driving tips:

  • Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
  • If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
  • Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can, away from where other vehicles may travel.
  • Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
  • Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
  • Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
  • Stay in the vehicle with your seat-belts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
  • Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
  • Be alert that any storm can cause power outages to overhead roadway lighting and traffic signals. Drive with caution and treat all intersections without signals as having stop signs in all directions.

For more information and driving tips, please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org.

From the ADOT Archives: Interstate 17 public meeting

From the ADOT Archives: Interstate 17 public meeting

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From the ADOT Archives: Interstate 17 public meeting

From the ADOT Archives: Interstate 17 public meeting

September 6, 2013

Image from the archives.

Look what we found in our archives…

These photos are almost 41 years old and show us that on Sept. 20, 1972, the Arizona Highway Department (now known as ADOT) held a public meeting in Camp Verde to discuss Interstate 17 and some proposed design features.

While the pictures might not be able to tell us exactly what was said at the meeting, we can clearly see that a lot of people showed up (yay for public participation!). They also offer a glimpse of the fashions and hairstyles of the day.

But, more importantly, the photographs remind us that I-17 (the Black Canyon Freeway) wasn’t always the interstate we know and drive today.

Curious about this route and its history, we searched the Arizona Transportation History report to find out more. Turns out, there’s a lot to learn.

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A public hearing, held in Camp Verde in 1972.

To start with, the original Black Canyon road (from before Arizona was even a state) followed an Native American trail along the Agua Fria River west of Phoenix through a gorge and then up onto the plateau that spreads from the Bradshaw Mountains to the edge of the Verde River valley, according to the report.

Fast forward to 1936, when work began to build a state highway (SR 69) between Prescott and Phoenix over the Black Canyon route. However, according to the report, World War II actually delayed completion of SR 69.

After the war, the highway, now realigned out of the canyon north of Black Canyon City and up onto the mesa, bypassed Bumble Bee and the other old mining camps, which by then were mostly abandoned. The new highway was dedicated in December 1952, though it would not be completely paved until 1955—the cause for another celebration.

After SR 69 was completed, work began on a northern extension of the road.

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A large crowd gathered on Sept. 20, 1972.

Starting from Cordes Junction, “the new route to Flagstaff was surveyed, designed and engineered to the then-current standards of road construction in Arizona. It was built through a long series of contracts for 5- and 10-mile sections that progressed past Dugas, down into the Verde Valley, and through McGuireville up onto the broad forested plateau that surrounds Flagstaff,” states the report.

Designated as State Route 79, the new highway opened in September 1961, giving the state its first direct road from Phoenix to Flagstaff!

You’ll have to read the history report for yourself to learn the rest of the story (skip to page 99 for the Black Canyon Freeway section), but we will leave you with this passage from the report, which sums up the impact of I-17, a route that has eased travel from Phoenix to Prescott, the Verde Valley and Flagstaff:

The miles of subdivisions that make up the town of Prescott Valley and the humming commerce of Sedona are both products of the development of the Interstate system and the desire of millions of Phoenix residents for a convenient way to escape the city and the desert.

For more about the Arizona Transportation History report, check out our previous blog post on the subject.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”