Dust Detection

Picacho Peak stands out as the signature landmark along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. Next to the freeway, a transportation landmark entering its fifth monsoon season stands ready to activate when blowing dust dangerously reduces visibility.

Monsoon Awareness Week starts next week and ADOT is ready for when the dust swirls. 

Though 2020 had a 'nonsoon,' it did give us a good trial for our innovative new dust detection and warning system on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson.

Interstate 10 drivers between Eloy and Picacho Peak should expect something very different this summer when storms hit: reduced speed limits, speed feedback signs and new overhead boards that display urgent safety messages.

PHOENIX – The official start of monsoon season is here and Arizonans know what to expect in the coming months: occasional dust storms and torrential rain.

As the Arizona Department of Transportation marks Monsoon Awareness Week (June 14-20) with reminders to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” when drivers encounter blowing dust, ADOT is also providing information about the first-of-its-kind dust detection system on a stretch of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson.

With fiscal year 2019 now behind us, ADOT Director John Halikowski talks about what the agency has crossed off it's to-do list.

Building on efforts across the decades, we’re working on a dust detection and warning system on I-10 near the community of Picacho.

In addition to the work on I-10 and SR 87 near Eloy, we are also installing a first-in-the-state dust detection system.

The shift comes almost a year to the day since we began clearing and grubbing to make room for a new, wider stretch of I-10, with three lanes in each direction.