I-40

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

2020 was the year of the bridge for northern Arizona

December 16, 2020

PHOENIX – While 2020 presented many challenges, the Arizona Department of Transportation continued to serve drivers in northern Arizona by using different methods, including the innovative bridge slide, to improve bridges to keep cross-country commerce flowing and increase the mobility of local traffic.

In Flagstaff, ADOT completed the replacement of the Fourth Street bridge over Interstate 40 on the east side of town in just six months using the innovative bridge slide method. The slide method allowed ADOT to construct the bridges to one side, then slide them into place over one long closure which greatly reduced the impact to the traveling public.

The new bridge improves safety, traffic flow and mobility in the area by increasing the number of lanes for vehicles to use and adding a protected path for bicycles and pedestrians on one side of the bridge. The protected path connects the Flagstaff Urban Trail System across the interstate.

Along Interstate 15 through the Virgin River Gorge, ADOT resurfaced the decks of Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 5, while Bridge No. 4 received a new deck. Work was completed this summer after important additional repairs were made. These improvements will ensure the continued life of these bridges to safely move cars and trucks cross-country.

For this project, ADOT used a first-of-its-kind queue warning system that included portable message boards informing drivers of stop-and-go traffic ahead. Using equipment that detects traffic in real-time, the system is designed to help reduce collisions as traffic builds.

ADOT also improved the Interstate 17 bridge over McConnell Drive as you come into Flagstaff. The project, which began in 2019, involved a full bridge deck replacement, bridge widening and sidewalk construction on the north side of McConnell Drive.

For more ways on how ADOT continues to serve drivers in northern Arizona, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the North Central District.

New, wider Fourth Street bridge complete in Flagstaff

New, wider Fourth Street bridge complete in Flagstaff

New, wider Fourth Street bridge complete in Flagstaff

October 14, 2020

PHOENIX – The new Fourth Street bridge passing over Interstate 40 in Flagstaff is now complete, providing improved safety and traffic flow in the area.

The Arizona Department of Transportation used an innovative accelerated bridge construction method known as the bridge slide to construct the new bridge and complete the project in just over six months. The slide method allowed ADOT to construct the bridges to one side, then slide them into place over one long closure which greatly reduced the impact to the traveling public.

The new bridge has two lanes in each direction, a center turn lane and a protected path for bicycles and pedestrians on one side and a sidewalk on the other. The protected path connects the Flagstaff Urban Trail System across the interstate.

The city of Flagstaff paid for half of the cost of the new Fourth Street bridge in addition to covering the cost of aesthetic enhancements.

This project also includes a resurfaced bridge deck and repairs to the pavement approaches to the Butler Avenue bridges over I-40. The total cost of the project for both bridges is $13.9 million.

For its use of accelerated bridge construction techniques on this project, the Federal Highway Administration granted the Arizona Department of Transportation an extra 5 percent of the construction cost on top of the normal federal allocation under its Increased Federal Share program. The federal allocation reduces the state's costs, and this extra money allows ADOT to put that portion of state Highway User Revenue Fund proceeds toward other priorities.

ADOT has been using different innovative methods to accelerate bridge construction for different bridges along I-40. This is the second time in the past year ADOT has used the bridge slide method. The first time was installing new Bellemont bridges at I-40 and Hughes Avenue, formerly Transwestern Road, west of Flagstaff.

Also last year, the agency used a process known as a geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system to rebuild the bridges on I-40 at Meteor City Road, creating abutments by putting in alternating layers of granular fill reinforced with synthetic material. That process also cut construction time by months.

Where Arizona rivers part ways

Where Arizona rivers part ways

Where Arizona rivers part ways

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications

September 18, 2020

Most people have heard of the Continental Divide, that topographic spine running down the western side of North and South America that serves as a hydrological tipping point and determines whether water will ultimately run into the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. There's even a spot in Arizona that's erroneously marked as part of the Continental Divide, despite being 150 miles to the west.

But did you know that Arizona has its own divide? Though not as impressive as its geographical big brother, there is a tipping point where water will either run north or northwest into the Colorado River watershed or south or southwest into the Gila River watershed. So water on one side might flow into the Little Colorado River and be sent plunging over Grand Falls or crashing through the rapids near the Grand Canyon. Water on the other side of the divide might flow over the beautiful red rocks of Oak Creek Canyon or wind its way through the Salt River reservoir lakes, from Roosevelt to Saguaro, before winding up in the Gila.

Where exactly could one find this all important spot where the navigational fate of the state's water is decided? Well, right off a handy state highway, of course! The divide is along Interstate 40 at milepost 190, which is just west of the community of Riordan and roughly 5 miles west of downtown Flagstaff. It's even clearly marked, complete with elevation, by one of our spiffy highway signs, as you can see in this photo.

Of course, those who know their watersheds realize the divide is for a short time only, as the Gila eventually flows into the Colorado near Yuma. It may all end up in the same place, but the routes to get there are numerous and extraordinary. Much like the state highway system itself, which will get you to this water-parting point and wherever else you feel like flowing.

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Two Guns' sordid history off I-40

Two Guns' sordid history off I-40

Two Guns' sordid history off I-40

By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications

September 17, 2020

Along Interstate 40, nestled between Flagstaff and Winslow, is the ghost town of Two Guns. As you drive by, you may see the remnants of an old gas station, now nothing more than a repository of graffiti after a 1971 fire nearly burned it to the ground.

But there’s more to this curiously named town than a former pit stop.

Not too far away is the Apache Death Cave. We learned more about the history of this grisly-sounding spot from the writings of authors like Gladwell Richardson. In 1878, the Navajo discovered the rival Apache were using it for undetected travel. So they gathered sagebrush and lit a fire near the entrance. When Apaches ran out to breathe, they were killed on sight. Between the smoke and the Navajo, 42 Apaches met their end.

By the early 1920s, homesteaders Earle and Louise Cundiff owned nearly 320 acres of land in the area and had built a trading post, restaurant, gasoline station and even a post office. Travelers along the National Old Trails Highway (which became US Route 66 in 1926) would stop for a much-needed respite.

Then came the eccentric Harry E. Miller, who had a much grander vision for this blip on the map. Miller leased some of the Cundiffs' land and by 1925 had opened a trading post and his own zoo, complete with mountain lions, cougars, snakes and Gila monsters.

And how about that name? Well, the story goes that Miller named the town in honor of Western silent film actor William Surrey Hart, also known as Two Gun Bill because his twin Colt 1851 Navy Revolvers appeared in most of his 77 films. Take it with a grain of salt, but Miller claimed to have worked with Two Gun on numerous projects.

Miller also claimed to be full-blooded Apache, going so far as to refer to himself as Chief Crazy Thunder. He gave tours of the Apache Death Cave, selling skeletal remains to tourists. But simply being the site of an epic native battle wasn’t good enough for Crazy Thunder, who jazzed up the cave with electric lights and added a concession stand.

All seemed to be going well until 1926. Only one year after leasing the land, Miller and Earle Cundiff got in a disagreement over the lease’s terms. Miller shot Cundiff in cold blood, killing the unarmed man.

After Miller was acquitted, he was mauled by not one, but two of his mountain lions. If that wasn’t bad enough, he was then bitten by one of his own venomous Gila monsters.

He left Two Guns (and the state) soon after this series of unfortunate events. But he made sure to take ample amounts of turquoise jewelry, silver and other expensive merchandise with him.

Louise Cundiff charged on, opening a new trading post and tourist shop after Miller’s burned to the ground. She soon opened a new gas station too. Over time, Two Guns shed its outrageous reputation and thrived as several businesses including motels, taverns and even campgrounds sprung up. Even Miller’s zoo was revived and reopened.

This renaissance did not endure. After the lone service station caught fire in 1971, folks began to find their gasoline elsewhere, and tourism sharply declined. Two Guns was left to dust.

So, next time you travel down I-40, take a detour and visit the death cave, old trading post, the remnants of Miller’s exotic zoo and one photogenic burned-down gas station.

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Final Environmental Assessment approved for West Kingman traffic interchange project

Final Environmental Assessment approved for West Kingman traffic interchange project

Final Environmental Assessment approved for West Kingman traffic interchange project

August 25, 2020

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has been granted environmental approval to move forward with plans to improve the US 93/I-40 traffic interchange in west Kingman.

ADOT issued a Finding of No Significant Impact after completing a Final Environmental Assessment for the project, which was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The Final Environmental Assessment includes comments from the community received through the public hearing on May 28, 2020. The document is posted at azdot.gov/WestKingmanTIP.

The improvements to the traffic interchange include a free-flowing direct connection between US 93 and I-40, designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. Currently, traffic switching between the highways must stop at an intersection with a traffic signal before proceeding.

The new traffic interchange is designed to accommodate both current and projected traffic volumes for this area for the next 25 years.

Everything now in place for the Fourth Street bridge project

Everything now in place for the Fourth Street bridge project

Everything now in place for the Fourth Street bridge project

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications

August 5, 2020

Traffic is now driving on the new Fourth Street bridge, which opened recently after crews put the new bridges in place using an innovative method known as bridge sliding.

The bridge slide method is a technique that basically moves precast bridges using hydraulic jacks. The new Fourth Street bridges were moved nearly 50 feet into place after the old bridge was removed! This technique shaves a ton of time off of normal bridge construction. We’re talking days instead of months.

Fortunately for you, a member of ADOT’s video team was onsite to capture the Fourth Street bridge sliding into place. Check it out in this video to the right.

The new bridge is wider, adding a lane in each direction. It also includes a walled-off section for bicycles and pedestrians to cross the bridge, connecting the Flagstaff Urban Trail System across I-40.

The project as a whole is expected to wrap up this fall.

ADOT is always looking for new, innovative ways to deliver highway projects that can reduce delays and inconvenience for drivers. The bridge sliding technique is another way ADOT is delivering a safe, reliable transportation system more efficiently.

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New I-40 Fourth Street bridge slides into place in Flagstaff

New I-40 Fourth Street bridge slides into place in Flagstaff

New I-40 Fourth Street bridge slides into place in Flagstaff

July 30, 2020

PHOENIX – Using an innovative bridge slide technique that accomplishes in days what ordinarily would take months, construction crews have placed a new Fourth Street bridge over Interstate 40 in Flagstaff.

The new, wider bridge will improve traffic flow and have a dedicated path for bicycles and pedestrians connecting the Flagstaff Urban Trail System across the interstate.

For its use of accelerated bridge construction techniques on this project, the Federal Highway Administration granted the Arizona Department of Transportation an extra 5 percent of the construction cost on top of the normal federal allocation under its Increased Federal Share program. The federal allocation applies to the state’s costs, and this extra money allows ADOT to put that portion of state Highway User Revenue Fund proceeds toward other priorities.

The city of Flagstaff is paying for half of the cost of the new Fourth Street bridge in addition to covering the cost of landscaping and aesthetic enhancements.

This project also includes a resurfaced bridge deck and repairs to the pavement approaches to the Butler Avenue bridges over I-40. The total cost of the project for both bridges is $13.9 million.

The Fourth Street bridge is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Aug. 3.

ADOT has been using different innovative methods to accelerate bridge construction for different bridges along I-40. This is the second time ADOT has used the bridge slide. The first time was installing new Bellemont bridges at I-40 and Hughes Avenue, formerly Transwestern Road, west of Flagstaff.

Innovative method will slide in new Fourth Street bridge in Flagstaff

Innovative method will slide in new Fourth Street bridge in Flagstaff

Innovative method will slide in new Fourth Street bridge in Flagstaff

July 13, 2020

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will use an innovative method to slide the new Fourth Street bridges over I-40 in Flagstaff into place later this month, cutting by months the time it would normally take to build a new bridge.

Installing the new bridges will require the closure of Fourth Street over Interstate 40 beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, July 17. The work will continue over the next couple of weeks and is scheduled to be completed early Monday, Aug. 3.

I-40 will be narrowed to one lane under the bridge at times during the bridge closure. Eastbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane under Fourth Street at the following times:

8 p.m. Friday, July 17, to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18
8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 23
8 p.m. Thursday, July 23, to 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25

Westbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane under Fourth Street at the following times:

6 p.m. Saturday, July 18, to 6 a.m. Monday, July 20
6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 23
12:30 a.m. Sunday, July 26, to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 29

This is not the first time ADOT has used the bridge slide method to install a new bridge. Last fall, this method was used to install the new Bellemont bridges at I-40 and Hughes Avenue, formerly Transwestern Road, west of Flagstaff. Workers used hydraulic jacks to lift and move the new Bellemont bridges into place after the old ones were demolished.

ADOT regularly looks for accelerated bridge construction methods and other innovations that can reduce delays and inconvenience for drivers.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the North Central District.

Virtual technology helping ADOT boldly go forward

Virtual technology helping ADOT boldly go forward

Virtual technology helping ADOT boldly go forward

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications

June 23, 2020

If 50 years of "Star Trek" has taught us anything, it's that virtual communication is the wave of the future. Kirk, Spock, Picard, Janeway and all the rest are constantly using viewscreens, communicators and holograms to connect with people who might be worlds away.

While we may still be a long ways away from teleporters and starships, during the current public health situation we are looking toward technology to continue offering training and services.

Road projects have continued to move forward during this time, which means ADOT had make sure the public could have plenty of input. As we told you about recently, with traditional public meetings a non-starter we used a virtual town hall format for some projects, such as the future improvements to the Interstate 40 and US 93 interchange. People were able to use their communicators – known in this century as cellphones – to call in and listen to the presentation. The meeting was also broadcast via two radio stations. The number of comments we received from this meeting rivaled those of a tradition in-person open house.

When it came to continuing our offerings to help small or economically disadvantaged businesses seeking federally assisted contracts, those too are now being done virtually. These businesses can now receive counseling or take advantage of other tools, such as our 21-week Business Development Program, completely online.

Back in April, ADOT's Border Liaison Unit launched a webinar for Mexican truckers to discuss emergency restrictions and exemptions for commercial vehicles using the state's ports of entry. This proved so successful that future webinars are planned that will incorporate material from the in-person safety training the unit has been doing since 2016.

This month we also held another session of our popular Construction Academy to help women, veterans, minorities and other disadvantage groups get the necessary training to get into a career in construction. The majority of particpants were able to receive the necessary classroom training through video conferencing and online construction.

And the best part is that these virtual tools have proven popular and useful enough to help our communication and training efforts live long and prosper even after the need to socially distance ends.

The technology we are using may not be as cool as what you'd find on the bridge of the Enterprise, but it's still allowing us to boldy go forward in our continuing mission to better communicate and serve the drivers of Arizona.

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ADOT nearly doubling truck parking at I-40 Meteor Crater Rest Area

ADOT nearly doubling truck parking at I-40 Meteor Crater Rest Area

ADOT nearly doubling truck parking at I-40 Meteor Crater Rest Area

June 10, 2020

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has expanded a renovation project at the Interstate 40 Meteor Crater Rest Area in northern Arizona to nearly double the parking spaces available for commercial vehicles.

With 65 truck parking spaces currently available at the rest area between Flagstaff and Winslow, ADOT is adding 32 spaces to the westbound facility and 24 spaces to the eastbound facility. This $5.2 million improvement was added to a current project renovating both the Meteor Crater Rest Area and the Painted Cliffs Rest Area along I-40 near New Mexico.

A similar project recently completed at the I-40 Haviland Rest Area in northwestern Arizona has added 38 truck parking spaces to the seven already available in each direction. That facility is west of Kingman between mileposts 22 and 23.

“Adding nearly 100 truck parking spaces along the busy I-40 corridor will promote safety by helping long-haul truckers who log long hours to get goods where people need them,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “They can pull into these rest areas with more confidence there will be spaces for them.”

There are 468 total commercial vehicle parking spaces at the state’s 27 rest area facilities. In addition, ADOT has temporarily reopened the Interstate 17 Christensen Rest Area south of Flagstaff and the Interstate 40 Parks Rest Area exclusively for commercial vehicles, adding 44 truck parking spaces during the current public health situation.

Drivers can see how many total truck parking spaces are at each rest area location by visiting ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information 511 website at az511.gov, checking the rest area icon box in the map legend and then clicking on the map’s rest area markers.

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