PHOENIX – When blowing dust reduces visibility along 10 miles of Interstate 10 between Eloy and Picacho Peak, a detection and warning system developed by the Arizona Department of Transportation will quickly tell drivers to reduce speed for safety.

ADOT is completing installation of sensors, overhead message boards, variable speed limit signs, speed-feedback signs and closed-circuit cameras to create this first-of-its-kind detection and warning system in an area that is prone to sudden dust storms. The prototype system is expected to begin operating in the coming weeks between mileposts 209 and 219.

Those entering this stretch of I-10 already see signs saying Caution: Variable Speed Limit Corridor. This alerts drivers to a key part of the system: programmable signs that can instantly reduce the legal speed limit.

Placed every 1,000 feet for the first mile in each direction and then every 2 miles, the variable speed limit signs can change from 75 mph to as slow as 35 mph when there is blowing dust.

Electronic message boards placed 5 miles apart in the pilot area will alert drivers to blowing dust, while ADOT traffic operators can use overhead message boards on the way toward the dust detection zone to warn drivers of potentially hazardous conditions ahead.

Closed-circuit cameras will allow staff at ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center in Phoenix to see the real-time conditions on the roadway, while in-pavement sensors will report the speed and flow of traffic.

Along with the threat from monsoon storms in the summer and fall, conditions in this stretch of I-10 are such that strong wind any time of the year can suddenly produce localized dust that severely reduces visibility, a phenomenon known as a dust channel.

The warning system also includes weather radar, which will be mounted on a 20-foot tower at the State Route 87 interchange in Eloy, that can detect storms more than 40 miles away. This radar will complement 13 sensors mounted on posts next to the freeway that use beams of light to determine the density of dust particles in the air.

In addition to enhancing safety by providing earlier warnings about blowing dust, this innovative system will advance ADOT’s understanding of whether similar technology can be effective in other locations around Arizona.

The system, costing about $6.5 million, is funded in part by a $54 million federal FASTLANE grant ADOT received for I-10 projects that widened stretches between Eloy and Picacho and between Earley Road and Interstate 8 in Casa Grande to three lanes in each direction. As part of those projects, costing $115 million in all, ADOT improved interchanges at State Route 87 near Eloy and Jimmie Kerr Boulevard in Casa Grande.

Technology can’t replace common sense when it comes to driving into a dust storm. Though drivers will have almost instantaneous warnings about hazardous conditions along these 10 miles, the safest course of action will remain putting off travel if a severe storm is imminent. If caught in a sudden dust storm in or beyond the pilot area, a motorist should pull far off the roadway, turn off lights and remove one’s foot from the brake.

For additional information on dust storms and safety, including what to do if caught in blowing dust, please visit PullAsideStayAlive.org.

PHOENIX – Interstate 10 is now three lanes in each direction all the way between Tucson and Casa Grande thanks to investments by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The last 4 miles widened to six lanes is part of a $72 million project nearing completion between Eloy and Picacho. That project also has straightened the I-10 alignment in this stretch and created a new interchange with State Route 87, while work is underway to add a first-of-its-kind dust detection and warning system along 10 miles between Eloy and Picacho Peak.

It complements a $43 million project that has widened 4 miles of I-10 between Earley Road and Interstate 8 in Casa Grande and replaced the I-10 bridges over Jimmie Kerr Boulevard to accommodate three lanes in each direction.

Final work on both of these I-10 projects is scheduled for completion later this year. Thanks to these and other ADOT investments in recent years, the 23 miles of I-10 between State Route 387 near Casa Grande and Queen Creek Road near Chandler is the only stretch between Phoenix and Tucson with two lanes in each direction.

For the remaining stretch with two lanes in each direction, ADOT is collaborating with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Gila River Indian Community on an environmental study and a design concept report. Proposed improvements include adding a lane in each direction and improving existing interchanges. While funding for initial improvements is tentatively planned for fiscal year 2023, the study will determine when construction could begin and establish the time frame for improvements.

For more information on the I-10 environmental study, please visit i10wildhorsepasscorridor.com.

PHOENIX – Drivers who use Interstate 10 in the Vail area during nighttime and early morning hours should budget extra travel time for approximately two weeks starting Wednesday, Aug. 21. Lane restrictions are needed for an Arizona Department of Transportation project to replace two bridge decks spanning the freeway southeast of Tucson.

Bridges at the State Route 83 and Colossal Cave/Wentworth Road interchanges will be upgraded during this project, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2020. Crews will begin with the SR 83 bridge and then move to Colossal Cave/Wentworth Road.

I-10 will be reduced to one lane in each direction overnight near State Route 83 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Wednesday evening. A 45 mph speed limit will be in place in the work zone. The restrictions will allow crews to construct a temporary bypass in the interstate median.

Starting in early September, the SR 83 bridge over I-10 is scheduled to be reduced to a single lane with traffic controlled by a signal. In addition, overnight bridge closures will be required at certain points during this project.

For more information and to subscribe to receive project updates, please visit azdot.gov/VailBridges.

Real-time highway conditions and restrictions for improvement projects are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – A 4-mile stretch of Interstate 10 in Casa Grande now offers three lanes in each direction, moving the Arizona Department of Transportation ever closer to its goal of expanding to six-lane freeway all the way between Tucson and Phoenix.

The $43 million widening project nearing completion between Earley Road and Interstate 8 in Casa Grande also replaced the I-10 bridges over Jimmie Kerr Boulevard to accommodate three lanes in each direction.

This complements a $72 million project widening 4 miles of I-10 to three lanes in each direction between Eloy and Picacho. That work, which is nearing completion, is creating new travel lanes to replace what was a curving stretch, has built a new interchange with State Route 87 and is creating a first-of-its-kind dust detection zone on 10 miles between Eloy and Picacho Peak.

Final work on both of these I-10 widening projects is scheduled for completion later this year. Thanks to these and other ADOT investments in recent years, the 23 miles of I-10 crossing the Gila River Indian Community between State Route 387 near Casa Grande and Queen Creek Road near Chandler will soon be the only stretch between Phoenix and Tucson with two lanes in each direction.

For the remaining stretch with two lanes in each direction, ADOT is collaborating with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Gila River Indian Community on a design concept report and environmental study on adding a lane in each direction and improving existing interchanges. While funding for initial improvements is tentatively planned for fiscal year 2023, the study will determine when construction would begin and establish the time frame for improvements.

PHOENIX – With planned Interstate 17 flex lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point set for construction starting by 2021, the state budget approved by state lawmakers and signed by Governor Doug Ducey provides the additional funding needed to also complete widening I-17 south of where the flex system will be built.

This $130 million investment to complete new third lanes in both directions of I-17 between Anthem and Black Canyon City is one of many in the budget that will expand and preserve transportation infrastructure across Arizona. Appropriations from the State General Fund include $10 million for an ADOT study on adding lanes to Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson and $10.5 million for preserving state highways to extend the life of existing pavement.

“As Governor Ducey and members of the legislature recognize, investing in critical transportation infrastructure will drive Arizona’s 21st century economy. Our leaders are investing today to support Arizona’s future prosperity,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “As we expand critical commerce corridors and safeguard our state’s $22.6 billion investment in our transportation system, it’s equally important to keep roads in our rural communities safe and reliable.”

In addition to baseline funding for transportation and infrastructure, the budget includes more than $95 million in appropriations from the State General Fund for targeted transportation projects that will improve safety and spur economic development in Greater Arizona. This includes $28 million for expanding US 95 between Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground, that region’s largest employer. There is $20 million to help build two Interstate 40 interchanges needed to accommodate growth in Kingman, with the city providing the remainder of the funding required.

ADOT has been working to advance projects to improve traffic flow and safety along 23 miles of I-17 between Anthem and Sunset Point north of Phoenix. More than $190 million was already committed to building flex lanes north of Black Canyon City as well as adding 7 miles of a third southbound lane directly south of that project.

Investing an additional $130 million over three years will allow ADOT to complete all sections of new third lanes between Anthem and Black Canyon City. Combined with the flex lanes, this increased capacity will enhance safety and help address traffic flow challenges and backups that occur due to crashes and when many drivers are traveling to or from Arizona’s high country on summer weekends.

The Maricopa Association of Governments is providing $50 million in regional funds to help fund the widening of I-17 between Black Canyon City and Anthem.

The I-17 flex lanes will operate as a separate two-lane roadway carrying one direction of traffic at a time depending on the greatest need along the steep 8 miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. With gates at each end and separated by concrete barrier from the current southbound lanes, the flex lanes will be able to carry heavier northbound traffic on a Friday or southbound traffic on a Sunday. They also can keep traffic moving if there is a closure in that stretch.

Required environmental studies for the I-17 corridor are scheduled to be completed by this summer, with the projects scheduled for completion by 2023.

The budget commits $10 million from the State General Fund to an ADOT study, in collaboration with the Maricopa Association of Governments and Gila River Indian Community, on adding a lane in each direction and improving interchanges on I-10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. Completing a design concept report and environmental study will determine needs and costs, and establish how the improvements will be phased. This process is on track to begin this year with an accelerated 18-month timeline.

The $51.1 million in funds, including $10.5 million in additional funding from the State General Fund, will allow ADOT to preserve the road surface along more miles of state highway through treatments known as fog seals and chip seals. These investments are critical to extend the life of existing pavement by sealing road surfaces against the ravages of weather, heavy use and time.

The budget’s other transportation infrastructure investments from the State General Fund include:

• $18 million for counties and cities and towns
• $10 million for local aviation projects
• $6.5 million for Mesa to construct a State Route 24 bridge over Ellsworth Road
• $2.8 million for Globe to repair or replace the Jesse Hayes Road over Pinal Creek

PHOENIX ‒ The Orange Grove Road exit ramp from westbound Interstate 10, closed to traffic for driver safety during the reconstruction of the Ina Road interchange, has reopened to traffic this morning.

Also opening this morning are the westbound frontage road from Orange Grove to Cortaro roads. The eastbound frontage road connecting Cortaro and Ina roads also is open.

On Ina Road four lanes are now open from I-10 east to Camino de las Capas. Lane restrictions west of I-10 will be reduced over the next few weeks as crews complete final work in that area.

One of the largest projects in southern Arizona in recent years, the $128 million Ina Road interchange reconstruction included removing the I-10 overpass at Ina Road and building new bridges to carry Ina Road over I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. It also included widening Ina Road from I-10 to west of the Santa Cruz River and replacing a single bridge over the river with two, two-lane bridges. The finished work also includes multi-use paths that connect to The Loop.

Work began in February 2017, with Ina Road reopening in March 2019 and freeway ramps opening in April 2019.

Ina Road is the third major I-10 interchange reconstruction project, following similar efforts at Prince and Twin Peaks roads. Work is expected to begin in late 2019 on a fourth interchange project at Ruthrauff Road.