Broadband

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

I-17 project installing fiber-optic infrastructure wins regional award

September 12, 2023

Effort involved 67 miles between Anthem Way and McGuireville

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation project that installed high-speed fiber-optic infrastructure along 67 miles of Interstate 17 between north Phoenix and McGuireville has won a regional award. 

The construction trade publication Engineering News-Record honored the team responsible for the project, including prime contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., with a 2023 Best Projects Award of Merit for the Southwest region in the Specialty Construction category. 

As part of the state’s initiative to bring broadband internet access to more Arizonans, the $20.6 million project completed earlier this year installed conduit and fiber-optic cable between Anthem Way and the McGuireville Rest Area. This work connected and completed a broader project totalling 146 miles of fiber-optic conduit between Van Buren Street in Phoenix and the I-17/I-40 interchange in Flagstaff. Future fiber-optic conduit projects are planned along the length of I-40 through northern Arizona.

ADOT, which designed the winning project in partnership with Kimley-Horn, worked with Kiewit to use innovative micro-trenching technology to install the fiber-optic infrastructure under the asphalt shoulder of I-17. This helped address challenges posed by hard rock next to the highway and deliver the project in a safer, faster and more cost-effective manner with minimal impacts on the public.

Winning projects will be honored in Engineering News-Record’s Oct. 30 issue and at a luncheon in Phoenix on Oct. 31. 

Fiber-optic conduit also has been added along I-19 between the Tucson area and Nogales. These efforts complement a state law that allows private broadband providers to install, operate and maintain telecommunications equipment within ADOT’s right of way using conduit installed along state highways.

In addition to the benefits to rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber to provide intelligent transportation systems technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technologies like connected and automated vehicles.

For more information on ADOT’s broadband efforts, please visit azdot.gov/BroadbandClick here to see a map of current and planned fiber-optic conduit routes.

ADOT bringing broadband internet to rural communities in southern Arizona

ADOT bringing broadband internet to rural communities in southern Arizona

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT bringing broadband internet to rural communities in southern Arizona

ADOT bringing broadband internet to rural communities in southern Arizona

November 2, 2022

TUCSON – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun a project to bring broadband internet access to more of southern Arizona by laying 63 miles of fiber-optic conduit along I-19 from Tucson to Nogales.

The $15 million project began in September and involves crews laying fiber-optic cable along ADOT’s right-of-way for I-19. During the project, drivers can expect occasional lane restrictions, with most of the work only requiring shoulder closures.

No restrictions will take place on weekends and holidays. The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.

In the state’s broadband initiative, championed by Governor Doug Ducey with legislation sponsored by Rep. Regina Cobb, ADOT is partnering with the Arizona Commerce Authority to create more affordable opportunities to provide more rural communities in Arizona with high-speed internet service. ADOT’s role is to provide access to its right-of-way along the four main interstates in Arizona to place fiber-optic conduit for rural internet providers. 

In addition to the benefits to rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber to provide “smart highway” technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection technology. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technology like connected and automated vehicles. 

ADOT already has fiber-optic conduit along freeways in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, as well as a stretch of Interstate 10 near Eloy for the dust detection and warning system. 

For more information on the project, visit /business/adot-broadband-office/broadband-projects.

Broadband project connects Arizonans

Broadband project connects Arizonans

SR24-1

Broadband project connects Arizonans

Broadband project connects Arizonans

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
February 4, 2022

Here at the ol’ ADOT Ranch we talk a whole lot about highways and freeways, and why not? It’s a major part of what we do. (Huge, if unrelated, shout out to our great MVD, by the way). And the title of this blog reflects our commitment to making those transportation connections possible.

There’s another connection that is just as vital and ADOT is playing a big part in that. 

If you’re reading this, chances are pretty good that you have access to broadband internet service. For the uninitiated, broadband is essentially the highest standard for internet service, with lighting-fast download and upload speeds. But there are still a lot of people in Arizona who have little choice but to endure long waits with slow internet service. There are still many people, in rural and tribal communities that have no internet capability at all. 

That’s not right, and Governor Ducey, the Arizona Commerce Authority and ADOT are partnering to bring broadband to much more of Arizona. 

ADOT’s part is to install conduit on about 200 miles of right-of-way next to several Arizona interstate highways. From there, Internet Service Providers can develop access to thousands of homes in underserved portions of our state.

Connecting people on everything from 12-lane urban freeways to humble two-lane highways surrounded by open spaces is part of our daily work. Connecting people through technology is a little new for us, but no less important. 

ADOT Fiber Installation Project from ADOT Vimeo-External on Vimeo.

ADOT begins first project to bring broadband internet to rural Arizona communities

ADOT begins first project to bring broadband internet to rural Arizona communities

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT begins first project to bring broadband internet to rural Arizona communities

ADOT begins first project to bring broadband internet to rural Arizona communities

October 12, 2021

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation is starting a project to bring broadband internet access to more Arizonans by laying fiber-optic conduit along a 46-mile stretch of I-17 from Flagstaff to Sedona.

The project begins today as crews start laying fiber-optic conduit along southbound I-17 from milepost 340 in Flagstaff to milepost 296, just south of the junction with SR 179. During the project, drivers can expect right-lane restrictions along southbound I-17 where crews are working. Crews plan to install the fiber-optic conduit in 3-mile stretches at a time. 

No restrictions will be in place on weekends and holidays. The project is anticipated to be completed by summer of 2022.

In the state’s broadband initiative, championed by Governor Doug Ducey with legislation sponsored by Rep. Regina Cobb, ADOT is partnering with the Arizona Commerce Authority to create more affordable opportunities to provide more rural communities in Arizona with high-speed internet service. ADOT’s role will be to provide access to its right-of-way along the four main interstates in Arizona to place fiber-optic conduit for rural internet providers. 

In addition to the benefits to rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber to provide “smart highway” technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection technology. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technology like connected and automated vehicles. 

ADOT already has fiber-optic conduit along freeways in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, as well as a stretch of Interstate 10 near Eloy for the dust detection and warning system. 

For more information on the project, visit azdot.gov/I-17ITSInfrastructure.