Safely home. These two words represent ADOT’s True North, our direction in ensuring that when you use the state’s transportation system you get safely home to your families, and that our employees also get safely home. Two words – safely home - pure and simple!

But, what does it take to get you “Safely Home?” I have dedicated employees who strive every day to make sure ADOT is delivering and meeting our vision, “Moving Arizona. Becoming the safest, most reliable transportation system in the nation.” and our mission, “Connecting Arizona. Everyone. Everywhere. Every Day.”

It is making sure that our transportation system is moving goods, services and people to improve our state’s economy. It is making sure you can travel and explore our great state with your family and friends. It is making sure that commercial vehicles are traveling safely on our roads. It is making sure that we communicate and encourage safe driver behavior. It is using advances in technology, whether it is for licensing drivers and registering vehicles, combating wrong-way driving, or installing improved signage and striping. It is making sure our construction projects improve the mobility and safety of drivers every day, and get completed on time. It is making sure we are using the resources we have wisely.

We have a huge responsibility to residents and visitors. I can assure you that, at ADOT, we don’t take this responsibility lightly. We value the trust placed in us in delivering an efficient and reliable transportation system.

It’s why “Safely Home” means everything to us at the Arizona Department of Transportation!

When is ADOT going to widen Interstate 10 as you travel from Phoenix toward Casa Grande? What is ADOT doing to have an alternate route between Phoenix and Tucson? What is to be done with traffic congestion at the Broadway Curve? I have heard these questions more than once in my time at the Arizona Department of Transportation. Well, I have news to share that ADOT is in the midst of several important transportation studies to answer these questions and more.

ADOT, along with our federal and regional partners like the Federal Highway Administration, Maricopa Association of Governments and others, is in the midst of conducting several transportation studies. It is important that we hear from our customers, you, and what concerns or issues you may have when it comes to making improvements on the roads you travel on a daily basis.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is an important step in our planning process. It is requires us to seek input from communities and stakeholders along the way before a construction project can take place.

There are several ways to seek public input in the planning process and meet NEPA requirements. A public scoping meeting provides the opportunity for a community to provide information to a study team about a particular corridor and share any concerns or issues about corridor improvements. That is what is currently happening with the Interstate 10 study from the Loop 202 Santan Freeway to State Route 387 in Casa Grande, and the potential in widening this Key Commerce Corridor.

A public hearing is when more technical and environmental information is presented along with a preferred corridor after careful analysis by a study team with input from communities and stakeholders. ADOT is seeking public input on the North-South corridor, a 55-mile segment from US 60 in Apache Junction to Interstate 10 in Eloy in Pinal County. This study represents a north-south alternative for mobility in the region and to help with traffic mitigation on Interstate 10 from Phoenix to Tucson.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates proposed improvements to a corridor as compared to a no-build alternative. A no-build alternative means the current condition stays as is without improvements. Currently, we are conducting an EA on the Broadway Curve, that 11-mile stretch of roadway from Interstate 17 (Split) to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Phoenix, and studying preliminary improvement concepts.

ADOT has posted information on our website, www.azdot.gov, regarding the studies I have identified. Click on the Planning tab at the top and look for Transportation Studies. You will find the latest information on the studies underway and how you can make your voice heard. It is important to note when comment period deadlines are and the various ways to submit your comments. You can also check the home page under ADOT News for a quick way to find out the latest news.

Remember, your opinion counts!

The U.S. recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, and for anyone interested in technology one fact stood out: the average smart device we can hold in our hand today will perform instructions 120 million times faster than the computers on that spacecraft.

I raise this point because at the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division, our employees can sometimes feel like they’re using computer technology that’s from a bygone era. Well, that’s because they are.

The system used by our Customer Service Representatives works OK for its age, but it’s sorely in need of replacement, which is exactly what’s happening now. For several years, we have been preparing to roll out a new state-of-the art system that will greatly enhance our ability to serve customers more quickly and with greater efficiency.

The system will be in place near the end of 2019, but we’re already in the process of training our employees, which is a gargantuan task in its own right and has some short-term implications for our customers.

Because it’s most efficient to train employees from individual offices at one time, we’re closing locations for one week on a rolling statewide schedule. That means an office in one area of the state may be shut down, but there will be another MVD office or an Authorized Third Party provider within a reasonable distance that’s open and able to serve customers. In some areas, we will dispatch our new Mobile MVD office to pick up some of the slack. 

Despite the inconvenience these rolling closures may create for some, the end result will be an MVD that runs even more smoothly. For example, the time it takes to do business with MVD has dropped from a statewide average of almost an hour in 2015 to less than half an hour now. A lot of that success is due to the innovative ideas our employees come up with to make customer service better and the multiple online services available at ServiceArizona.com and AZMVDNow. 

I have indeed respect for the people of that time who were innovative enough to achieve the landing on the moon with technology that falls as far short of our expectations of technology today. Despite all that, the astronauts made it to the moon and back in 1969. MVD may not literally shoot for the moon, but if we can make so many great improvements to our service with outmoded computers, imagine what great things are on the way! 

Let’s face it. We all use “to do” lists to identify the items we want to accomplish every day. Whether it is a “to do” list at work or an infamous “honey-do list” at home, these lists help us stay focused and identify the tasks that are needed to get the job done. When we can put a check mark next to an item on the list to note it is done, what a great sense of accomplishment we feel.

I get the same feeling in describing the accomplishments completed by the employees at the Arizona Department of Transportation this past fiscal year. We have had a very productive year in serving our customers, the people of Arizona, in providing a safe and efficient transportation system. We have strived to make sure you get home to your loved ones safely. It’s our True North – Safely Home. Our employees are dedicated on all fronts to get everyone Safely Home. We have tried to spark conversations with friends and family on the importance of being a safe driver. We have made vast improvements to streamline our processes so you spend less time at our Motor Vehicle Division offices. We complete highway construction and pavement preservation projects on time. And we get law enforcement officers faster information to help stop wrong-way drivers.

 Let me share just a few items on our ADOT “to do” list and highlight the accomplishments so far:

• Constructed a new traffic interchange at Interstate 10/Ina Road in the Marana/Tucson area that is separating vehicular traffic from railroad activity and widening lanes for better mobility and safety.
• Continued to make significant progress in the construction of the largest public-private partnership program, Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, with the anticipated limited opening the freeway at the end of the year.
• Launched a new safety website, FocusOnDriving.com, which provides helpful tips and resources to make us all safer drivers.
• Implementing a dust detection system near Picacho Peak on Interstate 10.
• Modernizing our Motor Vehicle Division’s operating system to AZ MVD Now so we can serve our customers better and offer more services.
• Weathered a historic winter storm in February that brought snow to parts of the Valley.
• Continued to receive state and national recognition for our wrong-way driving detection system and sharing our findings with other DOTs to combat the problem.
• Found ways to eliminate waste in our processes – making change for the better. I am very proud of the effort our employees are demonstrating in embracing the principles behind the Arizona Management System.
• Recognized employees with Medals of Valor, Director Citation Awards and Director Pins for exemplary service to others and living our A.I.R. values (Accountability, Integrity and Respect).

Yes, our “to do” list at ADOT is vast and it seems never ending. However, we indeed have been able to put a check mark to items on our “to do” list. Even with a decrease in the number of employees at ADOT over the past several years, it is the dedication of the men and women who serve at ADOT for providing the sense of accomplishment I feel every day. Now, where did I put that “honey-do list?”

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

We've revealed the winners in ADOT’s third annual Safety Message Contest. Three years we’ve been running this engaging contest.

That’s 21 dog years.

What?

I make that connection because one of the winning messages relates to man’s best friend. Submitted by Mitzie Warner of Chandler, the safety message “Drive like the person your dog thinks you are,” received about a third of the 5,000 votes cast, burying the other 14 finalists like a favorite bone.

Though I’m a cat owner – lovable Mr. Squeakers has been part of our family for 11 years – I understand the desire to live up to being the purr-fect people our pets believe us to be. Making safe and smart decisions behind the wheel, like choosing not to drive recklessly, distracted or impaired, is a great start.

The other winning message, submitted by David Posey of San Tan Valley, was a clever play on words: “Drink and drive? Meet police and see new bars.” Both winning messages will be displayed on overhead messages this weekend statewide.

Drive safely on the roads this week. Make your dog proud.

   This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's 
   LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.
 

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

To paraphrase a popular song from 1973 by The Platters, don’t let dust get in your eyes. It is that time of year when we Arizonans brace for our monsoon storms. These storms bring awesome lightning shows, but also winds that can kick up dust from the desert floor and blanket an area so thick, you can’t see in front of you. I would like to remind everyone, residents and visitors, that it is incredibly dangerous to drive into a dust storm.

At ADOT, we have photos and videos showing the gritty and grisly aftermath of collisions that occurred in dust storms. Our award-winning safety campaign, “Pull Aside, Stay Alive,” reminds motorists how they can stay safe if they get caught in a dust storm. The most important thing: Never drive into a dust storm.

I would also encourage you to share these important safety tips with family and friends who are planning to visit our great state this summer. You can also share our FocusOnDriving.com website for other helpful driving tips that will ensure your family and friends stay safe on our roadways.

Whether you like listening to “Dust in the Wind” by the band Kansas or “Sandstorm” by Darude, it’s important to be prepared and to drive safely this summer and avoid driving through dust storms. You can even stream the Dust Storm Playlist we created on Spotify as you travel this summer.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

EDITOR'S NOTE: During Infrastructure Week 2019, we're highlighting aspects of construction, improvement and maintenance that are part of Arizona's $22.4 billion investment in state highways. Today, our director shares his thoughts.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Every second of the day, we rely on countless systems to provide us with everything from energy and phone service to reliable transportation options and a strong internet connection.

We expect that we’ll have water when we turn on the tap or light when we switch on a lamp. Similarly, when we head out to work each morning, we expect roads and bridges to travel on during our commutes. Unless something’s not working the way it should, most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the infrastructure that’s so vital to our daily lives and our productivity.

But we need to be thinking about it, now more than ever. Specifically, we need to realize the importance of our infrastructure and protect its value by making investments for the future.

At ADOT, we’re trying to do just that.

Once a road or a bridge is built, the job’s not done. We have numerous professionals who work every day to repair, support and maintain every single part of the system. This agency continues to invest a majority of our limited resources to maintain the state’s highway system, now valued at $22.4 billion.

Making infrastructure a top priority requires public support, which is why ADOT is proud to recognize Infrastructure Week (May 13-20). Now in its seventh year, the week is designed to raise awareness about the importance of infrastructure to the nation’s economy, workers and communities.

The economy relies on effective and efficient methods to bring goods and services to market. Infrastructure plays a critical role in making sure grocery store shelves are stocked, online purchases can get delivered and coast-to-coast trade routes are maintained.

In honor of Infrastructure Week, I challenge you to think about the ways you rely on some form of infrastructure. I hope you will agree with me on the importance of infrastructure and how vital it is to our future.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

There’s a lot that I like about ADOT’s Safety Message Contest.

I like seeing the tremendous public engagement with traffic safety. An incredible 3,200 entries were submitted this time and you can vote for your favorite at azdot.gov/SignContest until May 20.

I like seeing the clever and creative messages conjured up by Arizonans. Some of you, my goodness, must have careers as comedy writers, and many of you are fans of “Game of Thrones” and “Avengers.”

One of the most interesting things, though, is reading the messages and comments and finding out what really matters to people when it comes to transportation safety. Many of you are fed up with speeders, distracted or drunk drivers, and want to see more courtesy on the roads.

Here’s a sampling of comments left by contestants:

Gerline wrote, “I am a bus driver and each time I use the turn signal because I need to change lanes, people behind me are speeding up to pass me as if my blinker would be an invitation to pass!”

Yvonne wrote, “Way too many people consider the posted speed limits a suggestion rather than the rule.”

Anthony wrote, “I have noticed that a great number of drivers do not use signals when changing lanes. This easily causes accidents.”

Joel wrote, “I had a friend in junior high that was killed by a drunk driver and it has stuck with me to this day.”

Melissa wrote, “I want people to have more attention to using their seatbelts and stay off their phones so they can be aware of their surroundings while driving. Anything can happen.”

There are hundreds more comments like these, each one recalling a personal experience, citing an observation or cleverly referencing a movie, concert or TV show. These are reminders that the best way to make safer the roads we all travel on is that we have to change our own driving habits and encourage those around us to change theirs.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

One-thousand crashes. Seventeen people killed.

That’s how many collisions and fatalities occurred in work zones in 2017 in Arizona. How is that possible? Work zones have signs, barricades, cones and more orange than Sunkist. It’s impossible for a driver not to know when they’re approaching a work zone.

Unless that driver isn’t paying attention.

At ADOT, we put safety first when establishing work zones. There’s enough space for our men and women to work and enough signage and room for drivers to safely navigate their way through the work zone – if they’re paying attention. And now, during Work Zone Awareness Week, April 8-12, we will do our best again to engage the public about how to stay safe in work zones.

It’s important for motorists to pay attention to signage when entering work zones because national crash statistics show that vehicle occupants account for more than 80 percent of traffic fatalities that occur in work zones.

Of course, transportation crews aren’t the only ones working in or near travel lanes. First responders like law enforcement, firefighters and tow truck operators need a safe area to work, too, when they arrive at collisions or stalled vehicles. When you see flashing lights, “Move Over!”

Please, be an attentive driver. Look out for the men and women working to improve the road you’re traveling on, responding to incidents, and yourself, too. Follow these tips when traveling through work zones:

Pay attention: Observe and obey posted warning signs, as well as flaggers. You can be cited for disobeying a flagger’s directions.

Expect the unexpected: Speed limits might be lowered, travel lanes could be narrowed or eliminated and people may be working near your travel lane.

Slow down: Speeding is one of the leading causes of work zone crashes.

Merge safely: Do it carefully and as directed by signage. In some locations a zipper merge may be used.

Don’t tailgate: The most common crash in a work zone is the rear-end collision. Don’t follow too closely and, again, slow your speed.

For more information about work zone safety, visit FocusOnDriving.com.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

What is the latest news to share about Interstate 11? After three years of study, technical analysis and public involvement, the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are ready for the public to review and comment on the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement. I value the input from the public in this important step as we continue to study I-11.

Interstate 11 is envisioned as a multi-use corridor that would provide a connection from Mexico to the Hoover Dam, connecting with I-11 in Nevada. This proposed statewide highway would improve Arizona’s access to regional and international markets while opening up new opportunities for enhanced travel, mobility, trade, commerce, job growth and economic competitiveness.

There are six public hearings scheduled for late April into mid-May in the Buckeye, Wickenburg, Casa Grande, Nogales, Tucson and Marana areas. I would encourage those of you who are interested in the I-11 study to either attend one of the public hearings or submit your comments by May 31.

The Draft EIS identifies a Recommended Corridor Alternative and also a No-Build Alternative. It is a preliminary recommendation. The final EIS is scheduled for completion in 2020.

It is important to know that funding to design and construct I-11 has not been identified.

Any and all future I-11 studies will continue to include public and stakeholder engagement and input in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Visit the study website at i11study.com/Arizona for locations and times for the public hearings, as well as ways to submit your comments online, by fax or mail.

   This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's 
   LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.