Just in time for the Christmas and New Year holidays, ADOT has completed the new Cordes Junction ‘flyover’ bridge, which is now open to traffic!

This new overpass lifts northbound I-17 traffic headed to the Prescott area over the highway and connects directly to northbound SR 69.

The busy Cordes Junction traffic interchange sits right between Flagstaff and Phoenix. Because it was built nearly 50 years ago – when traffic volumes were not nearly as large what they are today – ADOT has been working to remake it into an updated, modern interchange. When completed, the new design will make it easier for drivers to connect to other northern communities, including Prescott, while improving traffic flow and safety.

A major accomplishment
A big component of the $50 million project was the completion of the new flyover bridge. Due to the outdated design of the previous interchange, slower local traffic destined for the businesses and residences in the Cordes Lakes area, were forced to mix with the high speed traffic at this busy interchange, which serves over 40,000 vehicles per day.

“Completing the new flyover bridge is a major milestone on this Cordes Junction traffic interchange reconstruction project,” said Prescott District Engineer Alvin Stump. “The interchange was built almost 50 years ago when traffic volumes were much lower and it mixes local and through traffic, resulting in congestion and delays. This updated interchange will not only be able to handle the future growth in this area, but also make it safer for all drivers.”

More on the project
After beginning construction in August 2011, ADOT is entering the final stages after having completed over 80 percent of the project. ADOT is on target to complete the project as scheduled by June 2013.

The remaining major work yet to be completed includes opening the new southbound Big Bug Bridge and east roundabout near the McDonalds restaurant, and repaving I-17 and SR 69.

Improvements to the interchange will increase accessibility to local businesses, provide more efficient traffic movements for those traveling through the area, and prepare for future traffic demands. The project includes seven new bridges, three local roads (Copper Star Road, Arcosanti Road, Stagecoach Trail), installation of two roundabouts, as well as improvements to local storm water drainage.

Winter is coming…

Maybe that’s hard to believe if you live in hotter regions of the state, but residents up north already are starting to experience chillier temperatures.

And – as ardent readers of this blog may know – when freezing, cold weather hits, many of ADOT’s northern Arizona projects go on hiatus.

Before that happens we wanted to check in on a project about 20 miles south of Flagstaff.

A little bit of background…
ADOT began construction in spring 2011 to reconstruct the bridges and ramps on I-17 at Munds Park. The first phase of the project, which included the reconstruction of the northbound I-17 bridge and ramps, was completed last year.

The second phase of the project started in March 2012 and now is winding down. This phase includes reconstructing the southbound I-17 bridge and ramps, as well as the realignment of Pinewood Boulevard (the street that runs underneath the I-17 bridges).

This project gives motorists two new bridges each measuring 100-feet long – they were just 25 feet to begin with. The increased length accommodates a wider Pinewood Blvd and a 10’ sidewalk for pedestrian traffic. The new bridges are wider, too. This will help to accommodate traffic and an eventual third lane (in each direction) planned for I-17.

The upgrade is necessary to handle increased traffic levels – the old bridges were built in 1958 and back then there wasn’t much development (and not a lot of traffic) in Munds Park.

Where we are now
Both new bridges are built and the old bridges are gone!

Northbound and southbound traffic had been sharing the northbound lanes for this phase of the project, but just last week southbound traffic was rerouted back to the southbound lanes (northbound traffic stays on the northbound lanes).

The new bridges are adorned with designs.

There is still some work to be done, so traffic is restricted to one lane in both directions during the weekdays. The restrictions are generally lifted during weekends allowing traffic to flow in two lanes each direction.

A few of the things crews currently are working on includes, guardrail, lighting, rock fall protection and finishing up the improvements to Pinewood Boulevard.

Work will continue (depending on the weather) through the middle of November … that’s when crews will shut down for the winter.

The project will be essentially finished at that time, but crews will return in summer 2013 to apply the top layer of asphalt pavement when weather conditions are ideal for that work.

Resident Engineer Adam Umholtz reminds drivers to be aware in the work zone as crews are finishing the project, especially as winter storms start rolling in.

“Be patient and observe the posted speed limits and traffic controls through the project," he said. "Winter is coming our way and we are out there trying to make it a safe road for the whole winter.”

Here we are, past the halfway point on the I-17/Cordes Junction interchange project and it’s clear that work is really moving along!

At least, it’s clear if you drive the area frequently, or if you watched this video back in February. Crews have been busy since then, as you can see above.

Project details

When construction is complete (by next summer), drivers will have a new, modern interchange designed to handle the area’s growing needs.

Some of the project’s new features include:

• New bridges on SR 69
• The removal of the outdated on- and off-ramps
• A new I-17 interchange constructed north of the existing interchange
• A new bridge built over I-17 to connect with SR 69 (note: the existing bridge is being rehabbed) 
• The construction of a new Arcosanti Road along with the realignment of Copper Star Road and Stagecoach Trail 
• Reconstruction of the I-17 bridges over Big Bug Creek 

“It will be nice. When this project is complete there will be more access in to and out of the communities and if you want to head west toward Prescott and the cities in that direction you’ll be able to do that with a little more ease,” says Resident Engineer Sam Patton in the video above.

Traffic Alerts

Because I-17 is such a major corridor, ADOT has taken a lot into consideration when determining the construction phasing.

There are a few restrictions in place this week (weather permitting) as crews work on new bridges …

Tonight (Aug. 28), drivers on southbound I-17 will be shifted onto the off and on ramps at Arcosanti bridge from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to work on the new bridge over I-17.

On Thursday (Aug. 30), drivers can expect:

• Intermittent full closures of I-17 are expected for up to 15 minutes at a time between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. for bridge work over I-17.
• The on-ramp from State Route 69 to northbound I-17 will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured three miles south on I-17 to Bloody Basin Road (Exit 259) and then directed to use I-17 northbound.
• Traffic will be narrowed to one lane in each direction and will be diverted to the southbound lanes through the work zone from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews work on the flyover bridge above I-17.

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

The “mystery tree” on I-17 still has us baffled, so imagine our bewilderment upon seeing these photos of a shoe tree off of State Route 87, south of Payson.

That’s right – there’s a literal shoe tree just sitting alongside the road!

And, our Arizona shoe tree isn’t the only one, at least according to roadsideamerica.com – a site devoted to the oddities found along America’s highways.

There are shoe trees all across the country … who knew?

So, are we the only ones who have never heard of, or seen a shoe tree before? Have you come across the Arizona shoe tree?

This shoe tree is off SR 87, south 
of Payson near milepost 223.

Maybe you’ve thrown a pair of your own sneakers up on those branches?

Let us know in the blog comments or on our Facebook page … and, while you’re at it, tell us about any of your favorite Arizona roadside curiosities.

Editor’s Note: The Arizona Department of Transportation will remove any object within the ADOT right of way that presents a hazard. ADOT reminds drivers that highway shoulders are for emergencies only, and parking on them for any other reason is hazardous.

Just last month we blogged about a project that’s under way on I-17 and SR 69 in Cordes Junction.

So, maybe you’re wondering why we’re bringing it up again so soon …

Well, we’re blogging about it today because we’ve got an awesome new video (see above) that details the entire project and shows footage from January when crews installed some precast girders – a milestone in the construction.

When all the work is complete – around summer 2013 – motorists are going to have a much easier time maneuvering the interchange that sits halfway between Phoenix and Flagstaff. That’s because the project includes:

• New bridges on SR 69
• The removal of the outdated on- and off-ramps
• A new I-17 interchange
• Two new bridges and ramps built over I-17 to connect with SR 69
• The construction of a new Arcosanti Road, along with the realignment of Copper Star Road and Stagecoach Trail.

“I think this is going to be a major center for the folks around here and also for the state of Arizona,” Cordes Junction business owner Jerry Schultz says in the video above.

Last week we received a blog comment requesting an update on the I-17 bridges that span over Pinewood Boulevard in Munds Park. We thought it was a great suggestion and figured a blog post was in order!

But, first a little refresher …

You might remember we blogged about the bridges back in May. That’s when the first phase of construction was in full-swing and crews were working on the northbound bridge.

We told you then that this project is going to update the bridges initially built in 1958 … back when there wasn’t much development in the area. When the job is finished this fall, there will be two new bridges that will be long enough to accommodate today’s traffic levels and wide enough for a future third lane in each direction on I-17. The project also includes a new sidewalk on Pinewood Boulevard that will allow pedestrians to cross safely underneath I-17.

Where we’re at today

I-17 traffic over the new bridge.

The northbound bridge is complete and the project is in winter shutdown except for some electrical work being done.

Work on the southbound bridge will begin when the weather warms sufficiently in the spring.

When construction resumes, the southbound bridge will be demolished, then reconstructed and I-17 will be repaved through the work zone.

While this work is being done, the southbound bridge will be closed and motorists will be detoured over to the northbound lanes of I-17.

It’s the one that sits right between Flagstaff and Phoenix and serves about 13,000 vehicles a day (that’s in addition to the more than 27,000 vehicles that travel daily on I-17 at the junction of SR 69). It also provides access to Prescott, Arcosanti and surrounding communities, along with gas stations, restaurants and other services for travelers.

Believe it or not, the busy interchange was built nearly 50 years ago – back when traffic volumes were nowhere near what they are today.

It’s time for an update!

A project is now under way that’s going to result in a new, modern interchange designed to handle the area’s growing needs. Work started in August and by the time construction is finished (in about two years) some of the new features will include …

• New bridges on SR 69
• The removal of the outdated on- and off-ramps
• A new I-17 interchange constructed north of the existing interchange
• Two new bridges and ramps built over I-17 to connect with SR 69
• The construction of a new Arcosanti Road along with the realignment of Copper Star Road and Stagecoach Trail.

The current intersection design forces local and through traffic to mix, which causes congestion and safety concerns. The brand new interchange will be able to separate local and highway traffic, leading to improved traffic flow and safety.

Project area map.

Recent traffic shift
Crews are now working to build the bridge structures over I-17 and just last week a traffic “shift” was put into place that will allow work to continue over the highway.

Overnight on Dec. 29 crews temporarily moved southbound I-17 traffic onto the northbound side of I-17.

The detour will be in place until the bridges are complete. But don’t worry … I-17 still has two lanes in each direction within the work zone and the lanes are separated by temporary barrier walls. Drivers also should be aware the southbound I-17 speed limit is reduced to 55 mph. Temporary construction detours also are in place along SR 69 near I-17 (see map).

Work is being completed in four phases (right now, we’re in phase two). Each phase has been designed to minimize the impact to the local community and travelers while maximizing cost-effective procedures.

For more details on the interchange and information on what future construction phases entail, stay tuned … we’ll keep you updated as the project progresses!

The official start of winter is approaching, but the cold weather is already here!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve told you how ADOT prepares for the snowy conditions common this time of year in Arizona’s high country.

Getting the snowplows ready, along with plenty of deicer ready, along with closing down certain low-traffic/heavy snow routes are vital steps, but there’s an additional action ADOT takes each year as the temperatures start to dip …

Every winter ADOT has to suspend work on projects in the state’s high country. This is necessary because it is too cold to pour concrete or place asphalt pavement (rubberized asphalt is especially sensitive to temperature variations).

But that doesn’t mean our crews just drop what they’re doing!

Work is stopped at a logical point and the work zone is generally left in a condition that doesn’t impede traffic. Drivers may notice some barricades and should be aware as they’re driving through project sites.

And as for the actual crews…ADOT workers who manage or inspect the projects either switch gears to next-year’s planning or are reassigned to maintenance for the season.

Here’s a list of projects that have either already been suspended for the winter, or will be stopped in the next week or so:

• SR 64 roadway and streetscape improvements in Tusayan
• I-17 Munds Park traffic interchange
• US 93 repaving north of Kingman (top layer of rubberized asphalt will be finished in the spring)
• US 93 repaving south of Wikieup
• SR 260 passing lanes between Overgaard and Show Low
• US 60 repaving between Springerville and the New Mexico state line
• I-40 repaving through Holbrook
• SR 87 repaving north of I-40

As ADOT employees, we naturally get a lot of transportation-related questions thrown our way by friends and family... it’s just something that comes with the job!

By far, one of the most frequently asked questions has to do with HOV lanes and why ADOT builds them after the freeway is constructed (we answer that one here, by the way).

But, another question we regularly get focuses on the rock landscaping surrounding our Valley freeways.

People want to know why we don’t just use trees and shrubs instead of rock. Others wonder why we landscape the area at all.

Well, here’s the answer...

The main purpose of all freeway landscaping is really a practical one ... it helps control erosion and dust.

According to ADOT’s Chief Landscape Architect LeRoy Brady, anything that breaks up the rainfall (such as rock landscaping) or has a root system and holds soil together is going to help handle erosion.

As for dust control, Brady says rock landscaping and other types of plant-based landscaping help simply by covering the dirt.

“Because you don’t have bare soil, you don’t have the dust. It eliminates the dust source,” he said.

The type of rock that’s used matters, too.

Brady says his department sponsored a study that researched what size and grade of rock would work best for controlling erosion. The study was completed about 23 years ago, but the information is still used today.

Not only does landscaping help with erosion and dust, it has the added benefit of improving the aesthetics along freeways!

Rock landscaping is less expensive to maintain than planting and trimming trees and shrubbery... and rocks don't exactly require a lot of water.

ADOT works with the local communities to determine how to enhance the scenery along the freeways. Take for example the landscaping project along the recently upgraded I-17 in the north Valley.

ADOT worked with the city of Phoenix to create the landscaping theme and settle on designs, which are created to reflect Arizona's heritage and environment.

Brady says "context-sensitive design" is an effort in transportation to design and construct environmentally sound projects that fit and relate to the community, “instead of something that’s foreign and has no relationship.”

Along I-17, great care was taken to create designs that really fit the community.

About 15 colorful landform graphics made of crushed granite have been created for the project. There are a few Gila Monsters that have now taken shape at the Carefree Highway interchange and along the slopes at the Jomax Road interchange there’s a design patterned after a Hohokam water bowl.

It’s a challenging prospect to take a landscaping pattern from paper to the extra-large canvas of a freeway slope...

The process starts with site visits. Crews use flexible PVC piping and rope to set patterns before using spray paint to outline the design on the ground. Metal edging is then used to create the borders for the different sections of the colored rock and then the rocks are put in place.

Landform graphics and rock landscaping aren’t the only affordable and sustainable options for our freeways.

The location of the freeway often plays a role in determining what type of landscape to go with, as it did on a recently completed stretch of Loop 303.

There’s a lot more to freeway landscape design that we’ll cover in future blog posts. In the meantime, check out ADOT’s Roadside Development Web page.

It’s not often that a tree gets wrapped up in a mystery, but a lot of unanswered questions surround one Juniper growing next to I-17.

Some Arizonans might already know about the tree – it’s actually sort of famous around the state. Sitting in the middle of the median, just north of the Sunset Point rest area, around milepost 254, this is the tree that’s secretly decorated around Christmas and the Fourth of July. For years, no one has been able to figure out who is responsible.

Earlier this month something else happened that’s equally puzzling …

On Aug. 3, the 20-foot high tree survived a brush fire that had already consumed much of the vegetation around it. Flames got so close to the tree that plastic pipes situated near the trunk were melted (the pipes serve as a watering system and were put there presumably by the same people who stealthily decorate the tree each year).

The fire started about 200 feet south of the tree and forced a closure of the highway. But, according to ADOT Highway Operations Supervisor Randy Skinner , the tree, amazingly, was not harmed.

“The fire pretty much just burned up to the tree and burned out,” said Skinner, adding fire departments from Mayer and Black Canyon City responded to the blaze.

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened.

ADOT employees, who handled traffic control as the fire burned, have seen the tree somehow survive over and over again.

“In the 15 years I’ve been with ADOT, we’ve had fires three or four times a year and the tree never gets touched by the fire,” Skinner said. “For some reason this tree doesn’t burn.”

So, what do you think protects the tree? And, any ideas on who decorates it for the holidays? Leave your theories in the comments or post them over on our Facebook page!