Arizona is one of the first states in the nation to have its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan given the stamp of approval from the Federal Highway Administration. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation submitted its draft proposal in August and with the federal approval this week, $11.3 million will be made available immediately with another $16.3 million coming in October of this year to begin implementing the plan. This is a portion of the overall $76.5 million allocated for this program in Arizona over the next five years through the recently enacted federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) /planning/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act. 

The next step for ADOT is to solicit and award the contracts to upgrade existing stations as well as develop new locations along designated alternative fuel corridors. Advertising for bids to upgrade existing stations will begin in spring of 2023 followed by bid solicitations in autumn 2023 for new construction. The plan calls for stations to be no more than 50 miles apart wherever possible. 

In many cases, stations will be located where there is already infrastructure in place, such as truck stops, roadside lodging, restaurants and shopping centers, among other possibilities. 

Currently, the alternative fuel corridors are identified as all six of the federal Interstate Highways throughout the state. These are Interstates 8, 10, 15, 17, 19, and 40 which account for more than 20 percent of all the vehicle miles traveled in Arizona. Other non-interstate corridors will be determined and included in the plan in future years. The plan will next be updated in August of 2023. 

Among the specific goals of the plan are reducing electric vehicle drivers’ “range anxiety” by closing gaps in the charging network along the designated corridors and ensuring the network is resilient, equitable, accessible and reliable. Also the plan aims to identify new charging locations as part of an ongoing public outreach process and will use data to evaluate the system and make improvements. 

A copy of the plan, more information, and contact information to leave feedback are available here: /planning/transportation-studies/arizona-electric-vehicle-program

PHOENIX –The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan ahead if they are going to travel on westbound Interstate 10 in the East Valley this weekend.

Westbound I-10 will be closed between US 60 and State Route 143 from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, to 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept.11, as crews with the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project continue to work on the new Broadway Road bridge. 

The following ramps will also be closed:

• The ramps to westbound I-10 from westbound US 60. 
• The westbound I-10 on-ramps at Elliot and Baseline roads.
• The westbound US 60 on-ramps at McClintock Drive, Rural Road and Mill Avenue. 

ADOT is opening westbound I-10 early on Sunday morning to ensure access to the Arizona Cardinals’ home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Fans traveling to the stadium from the Southeast Valley or Southern Arizona can also use the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

Detours: Use eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) or eastbound US 60 to northbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to access westbound I-10. Drivers heading to the West Valley can bypass the work zone by using Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) west and north to connect with I-10 at 59th Avenue.

Motorists who are traveling on westbound I-10 and US 60 to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can use the Sky Harbor Boulevard entrance from Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway).

Note: Once westbound I-10 reopens, the westbound I-10 ramp to eastbound US 60 will be closed for work zone set up. This may occur as early as 4 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. The ramp will  remain closed until 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12. Detour: Use westbound I-10 to Broadway Road to eastbound I-10 to access US 60. 

At the same time, the westbound I-10 on-ramp at Baseline Road will remain closed. Detour: Drivers can use the westbound I-10 on-ramp at 40th Street instead.

Additionally, the westbound I-10 ramp to northbound SR 143 will remain closed until 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, for bridge work. Detour: Use westbound I-10 to eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to southbound SR 143. Airport Traffic: Continue west on I-10 to 24th Street or Buckeye Road

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The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is identified in the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. MAG identified the need for this project to reduce travel times on I-10 during peak hours; improve airport access; support ridesharing and transit; and prepare the region for future growth projections. Learn more about the major improvements here. 

PHOENIX –The Arizona Department of Transportation advises motorists to allow extra travel time and plan to use detours if they are traveling on Interstate 10 in the Southeast Valley this weekend. 

Eastbound I-10 will be closed between US 60 and Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, for paving and installation of traffic counters and overhead signs, as part of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. 

The following ramps will be closed:

The westbound US 60 ramp to eastbound I-10.

The HOV ramps in both directions that connect I-10 and US 60.

The eastbound I-10 on-ramps at Broadway, Baseline, Elliot, Warner and Ray roads.

The ramp from southbound State Route 143 to eastbound I-10 will remain open and drivers will transition directly onto the eastbound US 60 detour route.

Detour: Use eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) or eastbound US 60 to southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) to westbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) to access eastbound I-10 beyond the closure.

West Valley drivers can bypass the closure by using the Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) south and east to connect with I-10 south of Chandler Boulevard.

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The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is identified in the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. MAG identified the need for this project to reduce travel times on I-10 during peak hours; improve airport access; support ridesharing and transit; and prepare the region for future growth projections. Learn more about the major improvements here. 

PHOENIX - To promote safety on a 20-mile segment of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande, the Arizona Department of Transportation in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety is installing new signage that will restrict heavy vehicle truck traffic on this busy section of highway. Truck traffic will be restricted to the right lane only.

The signs are an interim safety measure along the final two-lane stretch of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has yet to be widened to three lanes in each direction.

This segment has safety concerns due to heavy traffic flow and truck traffic. The right-lane restriction for heavy vehicle truck traffic is intended to help reduce crashes, along with the resulting delays and closures due to these incidents.

Based on data for the area where the signs are being posted, heavy vehicles were involved in about 20 percent of crashes and 15 percent of rear-end and sideswipe crashes.

The signs are intended to be in place until an improvement project kicks off to widen this segment of I-10. The first step is expected in 2023 with the replacement of bridges that carry traffic over the Gila River, following required environmental review and clearance. Also, ADOT is working closely with the Gila River Indian Community and the Maricopa Association of Governments to secure federal funding, to add to committed state funding, for work that could be completed as early as 2026.

The signs restricting heavy vehicle truck traffic to the right lane only are similar to those that ADOT has employed elsewhere, including I-17 north of Black Canyon City. Sign installation began Monday and is expected to continue through this week.

ADOT has worked to coordinate the interim safety measure with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Trucking Association. As is the case with other traffic control measures, ADOT will closely monitor traffic operations now that the signs and right-lane restrictions are in place.

For more information about plans to widen I-10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande, please visit http://i10wildhorsepasscorridor.com/.

When it comes to the long-awaited Interstate 10 expansion between Chandler and Casa Grande, more money means more lanes. With that goal, the Arizona Department of Transportation has submitted a proposal to get additional federal dollars to combine with state funds for the project. 

ADOT has officially delivered a grant application through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for an added $300 million to supplement the $400 million state appropriation signed into law by Governor Doug Ducey earlier this month. That commitment of state dollars made ADOT eligible to apply for the federal competitive grant. There is also $290 million previously budgeted, for a potential project total of $990 million. Construction is funded in part by Prop. 400, a dedicated half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. 

ADOT is collaborating closely with the Gila River Indian Community and Maricopa Association of Governments on the I-10 project, and the ADOT application has also gained the vital support of the Arizona congressional delegation, state legislators, and local and regional elected officials. Additionally, more than 50 letters of support have been received from multiple chambers of commerce, trade associations as well as large and small businesses. 

“This project is essential for Arizona to enhance the safety and traffic capacity of I-10 with the added benefit of positively impacting our economy,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Interstate 10 is a Key Economic Corridor. Commercial traffic on I-10 carries significant numbers of products and commodities, many of which are manufactured or produced right here in Arizona. These critical items reach every corner of the United States and internationally.” 

Halikowski added, “ADOT will do everything possible to leverage financial resources to expand and improve these 26 miles of highway and associated infrastructure. Applying for these federal funds speaks loudly to our commitment to the vision of moving Arizona and becoming the safest, most reliable transportation system in the nation.”

The grant award announcement is expected sometime this fall. In the interim, an engineering and environmental study for the project is currently being completed in cooperation with the Gila River Indian Community and Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Additionally, a public hearing for the project is planned in late summer.

Following completion of required environmental review and clearance, the project is expected to start in 2023, beginning with expanding the bridges that carry traffic over the Gila River. Should the federal money not be awarded to the state, ADOT will have contingencies prepared to maximize the use of available dollars for lane expansion. 

Target completion date for the full project is sometime in 2026.

For more information: http://i10wildhorsepasscorridor.com/ 

PHOENIX – The Interstate 10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is updating its detour route information for this weekend’s I-10 closure between the Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) and US 60 (Superstition Freeway).

UPDATED: US 60 is closed in both directions between Rural Road and Loop 101 (Price Freeway) due to water on the roadway. 

• Eastbound lanes on US 60 are exiting at Rural Road and westbound lanes are being diverted to Loop 101 (Price Freeway). 
• To bypass this weekend’s I-10 closure, drivers should use the north and southbound Loop 101 (Price Freeway) between the east and westbound Loop 202 - Santan and Red Mountain freeways.

There is no estimated time to reopen the US 60. Drivers should plan for long delays.

Original I-10 Closure information: Westbound Interstate 10 will be closed between the Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) and US 60 (Superstition Freeway) from 10 p.m. Friday, May 6, to noon, Sunday, May 8. Eastbound I-10 will be closed between US 60 and Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) from 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, to 4 a.m. Monday, May 9, for utility relocation and bridge work.  

The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project is identified in the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan, funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. MAG identified the need for this project to reduce travel times on I-10 during peak hours; improve airport access; support ridesharing and transit; and prepare the region for future growth projections. Learn more about the major improvements here. 

PHOENIX - Approval of a $400 million appropriation by the Arizona legislature means the Arizona Department of Transportation can now submit a grant request for an additional $300 million in federal money for a proposed project to alleviate long standing traffic congestion on Interstate 10 between Chandler and Casa Grande.

Governor Doug Ducey has signed legislation sponsored by Senator T.J. Shope (R) - Coolidge.  It appropriates $400 million for this proposed project that was first outlined in the Governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget proposal. This would accelerate the expansion of this congested 26-mile stretch of I-10, the last segment of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has not been widened from two lanes to three lanes. The project also would include widening and improving several interchanges, cross roads and bridges, including the bridges over the Gila River. The state appropriation also is necessary to present a grant application made possible through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) legislation.

"This funding is a tremendous moment for Arizona motorists and all the out-of-state drivers who use this vital stretch of highway,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “Commuters, visitors and commercial traffic will face fewer frustrating bottlenecks in this area of I-10. This new funding sets in motion the process to expand the highway and put the congestion in the rear-view mirror. It also will boost business, jobs and quality of life in our state.”

“ADOT is tremendously grateful to Governor Doug Ducey, Senator Shope and his legislative colleagues for their quick and decisive action to secure these funds,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community has also been critical, as well as working with the Maricopa Association of Governments, our industry partners and other stakeholders. This has been a true team effort. We now can move forward on competing for federal grant money to fully fund the much-needed widening of I-10.”  

An engineering and environmental study for the project is currently being completed in cooperation with the Gila River Indian Community and MAG and includes the following proposed improvements:

Corridor Improvements - Capacity and Safety:

• Adding a new general purpose lane in east and westbound directions, extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane on I-10 from Loop 202 to Riggs Road, and improving interchanges and crossroads will increase capacity and access. This improves safety by reducing congestion and travel times and lessening detoured traffic on the Gila River Indian Community.
• Replacing bridges over the Gila River will maintain a state of good repair by modernizing this key infrastructure. 
• Building new and improved traffic interchanges creates safer crossings for farm equipment, bicyclists and pedestrians and boosts connections and quality of life. 
• Installing fiber optic infrastructure within ADOT Right-of-Way will allow for the installation of sensors, cameras and other highway safety-related technology.

Key Commerce Corridor, Arizona Jobs and Local Connections:

• As the principal roadway between metro Phoenix and Tucson for commuters, cross-country travelers and commercial traffic, I-10 is a Key Commerce Corridor for Arizona and the U.S. It provides a vital link for freight traffic from the ports of southern California and for international commerce, with a significant amount of freight transported along the route daily. The proposed improvements will improve the reliability of freight traffic in the corridor.
• The project, coupled with others around the state, will help attract employers and create jobs in Arizona.
• Locally, the route serves the Gila River Indian Community by providing connections to employment, medical, educational, and other critical services both within and outside of the Community. 

Funding: 

• Total estimated project cost is approximately $990 million.
  • $400 million allocated in the state budget
  • $300 million to be requested as a federal grant
  • $290 million previously budgeted. 
• Construction for the I-10 widening project is funded in part by Prop. 400, a dedicated half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. 

Timeline: 

• A public hearing for the project is planned in late summer.
• Following completion of required environmental review and clearance, the project is expected to start in 2023, beginning with expanding the bridges that carry traffic over the Gila River. 
• Target completion date for the full project is sometime in 2026.

For more information: http://i10wildhorsepasscorridor.com/.