I-10

PHOENIX – Drivers should be prepared for blowing dust and reduced visibility along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The National Weather Service says gusty winds were recorded in the Casa Grande area today and the Department of Public Safety reported areas of blowing dust crossing I-10 southeast of Phoenix.

Dust along portions of I-10 is just one of a number of weather-related issues motorists may encounter across the state due to the third in a series of winter storms in recent days.

Before we talk about Phoenix-area projects coming this year, let's look in the rearview mirror at 2016 accomplishments.

PHOENIX – With Valley drivers benefiting from several freeway improvement projects completed during 2016, including the widening of Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in the Scottsdale area, the Arizona Department of Transportation is poised to start or complete several Phoenix-area projects in the coming year.

ADOT’s highlights for the regional freeway system in 2017 include:

Some of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s biggest projects this year will occur in southern Arizona.

ADOT will continue replacing the interchange at Ajo Way (State Route 86) and Interstate 19 in Tucson. A project to create a modern interchange at Ina Road and I-10 in Marana will advance to include a two-year closure of Ina Road starting Feb. 15, making way for construction of a bridge carrying a widened Ina Road over the interstate and Union Pacific railroad tracks.

MARANA ‒ The Arizona Department of Transportation is moving toward the next phase of creating a modern Ina Road interchange with Interstate 10 in the growing community of Marana northwest of Tucson.

The project, with a total construction cost of $148 million, will relieve traffic congestion by widening I-10 and by carrying a widened Ina Road over Union Pacific tracks that carry between 40 and 60 trains a day.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has started a year-long pilot program that allows slightly heavier trucks to travel on interstates in Southern Arizona. The program began Sept. 1.

Do you drive on one of Arizona's longest or shortest highways? Find out in today's Transportation Trivia.

An Arizona Department of Transportation project to make the interchange of Interstate 10 and Ina Road in Marana safer and easier to navigate kicks off next week, although significant roadway restrictions are still six months or more away.

Beginning Monday, July 11, drivers on Ina Road and I-10 should expect occasional delays as crews improve frontage roads and make other changes to prepare for work that includes building a bridge and interchange carrying Ina over the Union Pacific railroad tracks as well as widening I-10 and Ina, northwest of Tucson.

PHOENIX – Arizona is on track to receive a $54 million federal grant helping fund two key widening projects, and adding traffic-management technology that includes a dust storm detection and warning system, along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson.

PHOENIX – With strong winds in the forecast, especially for Friday, the Arizona Department of Transportation is taking steps to enhance safety on a stretch of Interstate 10 in southeastern Arizona that has seen significant blowing dust. That includes coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to close the highway when conditions warrant.

PHOENIX ‒ Improving traffic flow and safety on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. Helping commerce move on a state route between the border and Interstate 19 in Nogales. Rehabilitating an 850-foot-long bridge along Interstate 15 in northwestern Arizona.

Aiming to move forward sooner on those goals, the Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking $109.5 million through two highly competitive federal grant programs.

TUCSON – Final resurfacing of Interstate 10 as part of the 17-mile improvement project between Tucson and Benson is set to begin next week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers should allow extra travel time and use caution in the work zone while the pavement improvements are taking place over the next five weeks. Significant delays can be expected at times, especially during the peak morning and afternoon travel periods.

Initial I-10 restrictions are scheduled as follows:

TUCSON – A bridge replacement project on westbound Interstate 10 between Tucson and Benson will require a 67-mile detour overnight from 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, to 5 a.m. Thursday, April 21.

Westbound I-10 motorists traveling toward Tucson should expect up to two additional hours of travel time and consider avoiding the stretch if possible, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Eastbound I-10 will remain open.

On Friday, the public comment period begins for the Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program for 2017-2021.

TUCSON – A bridge replacement project on westbound Interstate 10 between Tucson and Benson will require a 67-mile detour overnight from 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 23.

Westbound I-10 motorists, traveling toward Tucson, should expect up to two additional hours of travel time and consider avoiding the stretch if possible, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Eastbound I-10 will remain open. 

PHOENIX – Work to complete the freeway-to-freeway interchange linking Loop 303 with Interstate 10 in Goodyear is underway this week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

As part of the $83 million project to build the south half of the traffic interchange, crews will complete the four remaining ramps to connect the two freeways and extend Loop 303 south to Van Buren Street. The improvements also will allow traffic to make connections between Loop 303 and Cotton Lane south of Van Buren Street.

An oversized load moving through the state will require a brief closure of eastbound I-10 near Benson early Sunday (Dec. 6).

A bridge replacement project on Interstate 10 westbound between Tucson and Benson will require a 67-mile detour from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.

In honor of its 25th birthday, we’ve focused on the Deck Park Tunnel all week but we’re not done yet.

Do you know what you were doing 25 years ago today?