Ordinarily, an excavation like this would have to wait until ADOT had a highway construction project to work on (lane widening, new freeway construction, etc.) -- that way the cost would be included in the project’s scope. But this site’s a little different…
ADOT does a lot of digging, but we have to be very careful not to disturb any historic (or prehistoric) sites that could be at a potential project site. That’s where the ADOT Historic Preservation Team comes in. As a part of ADOT’s Environmental Planning Group, this team is in place to make sure all ADOT projects adhere to state and federal historic preservation laws.
A couple months ago we told you how ADOT works to minimize the noise impact a new freeway has on surrounding neighborhoods. Well, similar efforts also are made when it comes to air quality …
Most people don’t find the sound of traffic especially soothing … ADOT certainly recognizes this and is constantly working to minimize the impacts to surrounding neighborhoods from the noise of new freeways.
ADOT can’t just construct a freeway wherever and however it wants… Building a road actually requires a lot of careful planning, thought and exploration long before the first construction crews ever arrive on site.