I-40

ADOT moves forward with project replacing pavement on 12 miles of I-40

ADOT moves forward with project replacing pavement on 12 miles of I-40

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT moves forward with project replacing pavement on 12 miles of I-40

ADOT moves forward with project replacing pavement on 12 miles of I-40

April 24, 2017

PHOENIX – With a contractor selected, the Arizona Department of Transportation is moving forward with a $13.9 million project to add new pavement to 12 miles of Interstate 40 between Flagstaff and Williams.

Meeting in Flagstaff on Friday, April 21, the State Transportation Board approved a contract for the project with FNF Construction. A schedule will be set in the coming weeks.

The work in both directions between Parks and Riordan, milepost 179 to 191, will mill down several inches of the current pavement and replace it with new asphalt. It will greatly improve a road surface that has required regular repairs due to the combination of more than 200 freeze-thaw cycles each year and heavy use by commercial vehicles, as well as damage from numerous storms this past winter.

“We’re grateful this much needed project is moving forward,” said Audra Merrick, ADOT’s North Central District engineer. “This project will be the long-term fix to the damage the road has taken over the winter.”

The project also will replace pavement on the on- and off-ramps at the Bellemont interchange, replace guardrail and make minor bridge deck repairs at the Bellemont and A-1 Mountain Road overpasses. 

A similar project, slated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, will pick up where this project ends at milepost 179, and continue west for 17 miles to Cataract Lake near Williams.

After pavement damage from powerful and repeated winter storms, ADOT crews continue following up on temporary repairs with asphalt overlays on I-17, State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon and other parts of I-40.

ADOT improving Twin Arrows interchange along I-40 east of Flagstaff

ADOT improving Twin Arrows interchange along I-40 east of Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT improving Twin Arrows interchange along I-40 east of Flagstaff

ADOT improving Twin Arrows interchange along I-40 east of Flagstaff

April 18, 2017

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation project underway at the Twin Arrows interchange along Interstate 40 just east of Flagstaff will improve access for drivers.

The $4.5 million project between mileposts 218 and 220 will create new eastbound off- and on-ramps, and improve the bridge structure with new girders, wider abutments, a widened and repaved deck, and new safety barriers.

I-40 drivers will encounter a lane restriction in both directions at the interchange as work continues. Access to Twin Arrows Road and I-40 will be maintained, though occasional detours can be expected.

Work is expected to be complete by fall.

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

ADOT catching up with pavement repair in Flagstaff area

March 31, 2017

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews remain busy with pavement repairs along northern Arizona highways following an active winter storm season.

During the week of April 3-7, crews are scheduled to add a new layer of asphalt to smooth rough sections I-40 in the Parks area between Flagstaff and Williams.

Asphalt overlays also will continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes in the pavement can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt. In northern Arizona, the situation is often exasperated by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Under the pounding of heavy traffic, the stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT also has two projects scheduled later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams to add a new layer of pavement in both directions.

ADOT focuses on patching potholes in northern Arizona after winter storm

ADOT focuses on patching potholes in northern Arizona after winter storm

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT focuses on patching potholes in northern Arizona after winter storm

ADOT focuses on patching potholes in northern Arizona after winter storm

March 24, 2017

PHOENIX – A late winter storm this week and more precipitation expected next week have Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews in patrol-and-patch mode as they address pavement-repair needs on Interstate 40 and Interstate 17 in the high country.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

After weeks of making permanent repairs, including laying asphalt over rough stretches of pavement, crews over the next week will be out patching any potholes that have formed as a result of the latest storms. Forecasted rain showers and snow in the high country will delay other work.

ADOT responds aggressively to the annual challenge of potholes from winter weather. Crews make temporary and then permanent repairs to potholes as soon as possible.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions.

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

Crews continue pavement repairs on northern Arizona highways

March 17, 2017

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are continuing pavement repairs along northern Arizona highways after winter storms.

Next week, crews will lay asphalt over existing pavement to smooth sections of Interstate 40 at milepost 156 westbound and continue this work between mileposts 169 and 172 eastbound, about 10 miles east of Williams.

Patch work and asphalt overlays also will continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions. 

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

Warmer weather helps crews catch up on pavement repairs in northern Arizona

March 10, 2017

PHOENIX – With warmer weather in the high country, Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are catching up with pavement repair along Interstates 17 and 40 and State Route 89A after an active winter season.

Next week, crews will lay asphalt over existing pavement to smooth rough sections of road along I-40 between mileposts 169 and 172 eastbound, about 10 miles east of Williams. Work will also occur on I-40 eastbound at mileposts 92, 96 and 102-104, in between the US 93 junction and Seligman.

paving-on-sr-89a
Patch work and overlays will also continue on State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions.

Pavement repairs continue on northern Arizona highways after storm

Pavement repairs continue on northern Arizona highways after storm

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Pavement repairs continue on northern Arizona highways after storm

Pavement repairs continue on northern Arizona highways after storm

March 3, 2017

PHOENIX – After another snowstorm earlier this week, Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are patrolling northern Arizona highways to locate and address potholes while they conduct more involved pavement repairs on stretches of Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff.

Crews will lay asphalt over existing pavement to smooth rough sections of I-40 at milepost 86 westbound and milepost 98 eastbound between US 93 and Seligman, as well as between mileposts 170 and 177 eastbound, about 10 miles east of Williams.

In addition, maintenance workers are patrolling the following stretches of highway to locate and fill any potholes:

  • I-40 between mileposts 82 and 139, from approximately 10 miles east of US 93 to six miles west of SR 89;
  • US 180 between mileposts 215-248, from Flagstaff to 13 miles past Kendrick Park;
  • and State Route 89A between mileposts 375-386, from Sedona to a couple miles before the switchbacks.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions. 

Pavement repair continues on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff

Pavement repair continues on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Pavement repair continues on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff

Pavement repair continues on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff

February 17, 2017

PHOENIX – After the back-to-back winter storms that took a toll on highways in Arizona’s high country, Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance crews are continuing to repair pavement along Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff.

This week, maintenance crews completed pavement repairs along I-40 and I-17 in the Flagstaff area.

Next week, the work will focus on I-40 westbound between mileposts 108-110, approximately 12 miles west of Seligman, and I-40 eastbound between mileposts 168-170, just a few miles east of Williams. The work includes patching potholes and laying asphalt over the existing pavement in some areas.

Potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt, which in northern Arizona can be stressed by the combination of freezing overnight temperatures and daytime thawing. The Flagstaff area usually experiences more than 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles each year. Add heavy traffic, and this stressed pavement can break away.

ADOT has two projects coming later this year along I-40 between Flagstaff and Williams that will add a new layer of pavement in both directions. 

New I-40 pavement sensors helping ADOT identify and address ice before it forms

New I-40 pavement sensors helping ADOT identify and address ice before it forms

I-17 101 traffic interchange

New I-40 pavement sensors helping ADOT identify and address ice before it forms

New I-40 pavement sensors helping ADOT identify and address ice before it forms

February 14, 2017

PHOENIX – Sensors installed at three Interstate 40 locations west of Flagstaff are helping the Arizona Department of Transportation forecast the likelihood of ice forming and respond accordingly.

The combination of freezing temperatures and moisture means ice can form overnight in Arizona’s high country. It’s an especially big challenge on I-40 between Ash Fork and Flagstaff, which is above 6,000 feet in most places and sees heavy use by commercial and passenger vehicles.

“Technology can provide us with another way to keep motorists safe as they travel to Arizona’s colder regions,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “These sensors are another tool in ADOT’s toolbox to help keep the highways clear of snow and ice during winter season.”

The roadway sensors, positioned just west of Flagstaff, just west of Williams and on Ash Fork Hill, are connected to ADOT Road Weather Information System locations, which use cameras and instruments to provide the latest conditions. Each location has one sensor measuring the salt content of road surface moisture, which affects the freezing point, and another measuring the temperature of the ground underneath.

A computer program combines this information with data from the Road Weather Information System and National Weather Service to forecast the likelihood of ice forming, helping ADOT determine whether to send crews out to lay deicing material.

The program can also alert operators if the pavement temperature drops below a certain threshold.

The data provided so far has been so helpful that ADOT plans to install sensors at additional high-country roadway locations over the next few years.

The three sensors on I-40 cost $90,000 and were funded through ADOT maintenance funds.

I-40 project to prevent falling rocks closes westbound lane near Joseph City

I-40 project to prevent falling rocks closes westbound lane near Joseph City

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-40 project to prevent falling rocks closes westbound lane near Joseph City

I-40 project to prevent falling rocks closes westbound lane near Joseph City

January 19, 2017

HOLBROOK – An Arizona Department of Transportation project to prevent falling rocks will close one lane of westbound Interstate 40 near Joseph City, just west of Holbrook, on weekdays through March.

This week, workers began using heavy equipment to break up and haul away an estimated 45,000 tons of rocks, dirt and clay from an eroding slope just north of the roadway.

While a temporary concrete barrier is preventing rocks from falling into travel lanes, this safety project offers a permanent solution.

Westbound I-40 will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 279, across from the Cholla Power Plant, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Drivers should observe reduced speed limits in the work zone and be prepared to merge into the left lane.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but weather and other factors can affect when work is done. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511.