Lighting

I-10 Deck Park Tunnel lighting upgrade completed in Phoenix

I-10 Deck Park Tunnel lighting upgrade completed in Phoenix

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-10 Deck Park Tunnel lighting upgrade completed in Phoenix

I-10 Deck Park Tunnel lighting upgrade completed in Phoenix

June 15, 2021

PHOENIX – The installation of improved lighting in the Interstate 10 Deck Park Tunnel north of downtown Phoenix has been completed. Arizona Department of Transportation crews have worked in stages this year to replace old fixtures in the tunnel with modern, energy efficient LED lights.

ADOT installed the last of the new lights in the eastbound side of the Deck Park Tunnel on Saturday morning, June 12. The entire $1.4 million project, which started in January, means that more than 1,500 new LED lights were installed along with the replacement of old lighting fixtures dating back to when the tunnel opened to traffic in 1990.

In addition to the improved lighting providing a safety enhancement, ADOT anticipates the use of LED lights in the tunnel will reduce energy consumption by more than 60 percent and produce more than $175,000 in annual energy savings.

The new LED bulbs produce an improved, brighter white light in the tunnel compared to the outdated yellow-toned high pressure sodium lights that have been replaced. Since LED lights last longer than the high pressure sodium bulbs, crews will not have to replace them as often.

As with the old lighting system, the improved LED tunnel lights are now set at appropriate transitioning levels during daylight and nighttime hours to allow a driver’s vision to adapt given outside lighting levels. For example, the system runs fewer lights at night because of lower nighttime light levels outside the tunnel.

The I-10 tunnel extends approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile between Third Street and Third Avenue north of downtown Phoenix. The lighting project was paid for with available ADOT maintenance funds.

Shedding new light on your drive in the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel

Shedding new light on your drive in the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel

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Shedding new light on your drive in the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel

Shedding new light on your drive in the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel

By Doug Nintzel / ADOT Communications
May 11, 2021

When it comes to driving through the Interstate 10 Deck Park Tunnel north of downtown Phoenix, it’s important that you’re not left in the dark.

It has taken a few visits to the idea factory to explore possible ADOT projects to upgrade, and actually replace, the original lighting system dating back to when the famous tunnel opened in 1990 as part of the “Final Mile” of I-10 constructed across the entire U.S.

Fortunately, the waiting has paid off with an innovative project being installed by ADOT crews that has now reached a milestone with work to add new LED lighting in the westbound side of the tunnel finished.

That means more than 1,500 of the LED lights are now lighting the way for westbound I-10 drivers using the tunnel. ADOT crews are slated to complete the eastbound installation this summer as more light fixtures are provided by a manufacturer.

While previous project ideas were considered more expensive, ADOT found a company that could provide LED lighting fixtures that work in the same locations as the original high pressure sodium lights. The result is a $1.4 million safety enhancement project that includes the “in-house” installation work by an ADOT team.

An initial review of the new westbound lighting is already showing a more than 60 percent reduction in energy consumption. We’re estimating annual energy savings of more than $175,000, which by my limited math skills would mean the project will pay for itself in less than 10 years.

The new LED lights in the Deck Park Tunnel are providing a noticeably improved, brighter and whiter level of light compared to the yellow tone of the old, outdated high pressure sodium lights. The new bulbs certainly will last longer, no doubt having a positive effect on maintenance work and costs. 

As with the old lighting system, the improved LED tunnel lights will be set at appropriate transitioning levels during daylight and nighttime hours to allow a driver’s vision to adapt given outside lighting levels. For example, the system will run fewer lights at night because of lower nighttime light levels outside the tunnel.

So ADOT has reached the halfway point with the I-10 tunnel lighting upgrades. We’ll keep you posted on when the next installation work on the eastbound side will require an overnight closure so crews can do even more work. As always, please focus on safe driving, especially as we head into the summer travel season.  

ADOT improving safety along US 160 through new street lighting near Tuba City

ADOT improving safety along US 160 through new street lighting near Tuba City

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT improving safety along US 160 through new street lighting near Tuba City

ADOT improving safety along US 160 through new street lighting near Tuba City

March 11, 2021

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is busy installing new street lights along US 160 just east of Tuba City improving the safety of the road by increasing visibility at night.

The $700,000 project is adding 43 light poles extending the existing roadway lighting nearly 2 miles.

Street lighting improves visibility and safety while driving at night. According to a 2014 case study by the Federal Highway Administration, street lighting at rural intersections can reduce overall nighttime crashes by up to 40% and nighttime injury crashes by up to 25%.

The project, which began in late January, is anticipated to be complete by the end of May. After the completion of the project, the area will be reseeded to encourage vegetation growth.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/projects

ADOT goes purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

ADOT goes purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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ADOT goes purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

ADOT goes purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications
October 7, 2019

Later this month you might happen to notice that a lot of our employees will be wearing the same color.

This isn't some new buzzy fashion trend, but a show of support to help end a big problem.

ADOT employees are encouraged to wear purple on Oct. 24 as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This photo is from a similar show of solidarity from October 2018. This is the fifth year that we've joined with Governor Doug Ducey to lend support to the victims of domestic and intimate partner abuse. On Oct. 1, Governor Ducey again lit up the State Capitol with purple lights to bring awareness of the issue, something we've done with our downtown Phoenix buildings too in past years.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, every 44 minutes a child will witness domestic abuse, while an estimated 1.3 million women are abused annual by an intimate partner. One out of every four women will experience domestic abuse. 

For more information, please visit ItCanStop.AZ.gov. You also can show your support by posting to social media with the hashtag #LightingAZPurple.

Queen Creek Tunnel on US 60 receives LED lighting system

Queen Creek Tunnel on US 60 receives LED lighting system

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Queen Creek Tunnel on US 60 receives LED lighting system

Queen Creek Tunnel on US 60 receives LED lighting system

October 7, 2016

PHOENIX - The Queen Creek Tunnel on US 60 east of Superior now has a light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system, making it Arizona’s first tunnel to have this innovative and energy-saving technology.

To clean the tunnel’s walls and ceilings after this installation, US 60 in the area will be closed in both directions for six hours every night beginning the evening of Monday, Oct. 10, and ending early Friday, Oct. 14. The closures, which are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. and end at 4 a.m., will be in effect between Superior at milepost 226 and Oak Flat at milepost 231.

The closure points allow commercial trucks to turn around and will avoid stopping traffic on the steep grade closer to the tunnel.

An alternate route connecting with US 60 in Superior and Globe is along State Route 77 and State Route 177. Motorists headed to the White Mountains region, including Show Low and Springerville, may want to consider taking State Route 87 and State Route 260 through Payson.

The new lighting system will improve visibility in the tunnel, which was built in 1952, by using an adaptive control system that will adjust the lighting level based upon ambient light and weather conditions outside. It will also save money on electricity and reduce the need for maintenance.

ADOT secured a $1 million federal grant in 2014 to help fund this project.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but it’s possible that unscheduled closures or restrictions might occur because of weather or other factors. For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511.

ADOT awarded $1 million grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

ADOT awarded $1 million grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT awarded $1 million grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

ADOT awarded $1 million grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

December 23, 2014

PHOENIX — In an ongoing effort to modernize the state’s highway system, the Arizona Department of Transportation recently secured a $1 million federal grant to replace the antiquated lighting in the US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel near Superior with a new light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system, which will be the first tunnel in Arizona to have this new innovative technology. 

The new lighting system will improve visibility in the tunnel, which was originally built in 1952, by using an adaptive control system that will adjust the lighting level within the tunnel based upon ambient light and weather conditions outside the tunnel.

The new lighting system will also significantly reduce the power consumption, while decreasing maintenance frequency for the tunnel (lane closures, traffic delays).

“This project is one of several in store for the US 60 corridor that will ultimately enhance safety between Globe and the Phoenix metro area, including the Silver King/Superior Streets widening project west of the Queen Creek Tunnel and the Oak Flats climbing lane project east of the tunnel,” said ADOT Globe District Engineer Jesse Gutierrez. “The new lighting system will provide sufficient visibility in the tunnel for safety while using the least amount of energy.”

us-60-queen-creek-tunnel-1952
The funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration program, which will ultimately invest $30 million in incentive funding for federal, state, local and tribal government agencies to hasten their use of innovative methods. The AID program builds on the success of the agency’s ongoing Every Day Counts initiative, a partnership between the Federal Highway Administration and state and local transportation agencies to accelerate the deployment of innovative methods and cut project delivery times.

ADOT expects to replace the lighting system beginning in 2015, which will require new conduit and wiring in the quarter-mile-long tunnel. The total project cost is estimated to be $3.8 million.

ADOT was one of only six states to receive one of the grants designed to accelerate deployment of innovative transportation projects, and the $1 million grant to Arizona matched Michigan’s for the largest received. 

ADOT awarded million dollar grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

ADOT awarded million dollar grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

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ADOT awarded million dollar grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

ADOT awarded million dollar grant for lighting project in US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

December 23, 2014

Queen Creek Tunnel

By Dustin Krugel
ADOT Office of Public Information

In an ongoing effort to modernize the state’s highway system, the Arizona Department of Transportation recently secured a $1 million federal grant to replace the antiquated lighting in the US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel near Superior with a new light-emitting diode (LED) lighting system, which will be the first tunnel in Arizona to have this new innovative technology.

The new lighting system will improve visibility in the tunnel, which was originally built in 1952, by using an adaptive control system that will adjust the lighting level within the tunnel based upon ambient light and weather conditions outside the tunnel.

The new lighting system will also significantly reduce the power consumption, while decreasing maintenance frequency for the tunnel (lane closures, traffic delays).

2015-0108-tunnel1

The tunnel first opened to traffic in 1953.

“This project is one of several in store for the US 60 corridor that will ultimately enhance safety between Globe and the Phoenix metro area, including the Silver King/Superior Streets widening project west of the Queen Creek Tunnel and the Oak Flats climbing lane project east of the tunnel,” said ADOT Globe District Engineer Jesse Gutierrez. “The new lighting system will provide sufficient visibility in the tunnel for safety while using the least amount of energy.”

The funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration program, which will ultimately invest $30 million in incentive funding for federal, state, local and tribal government agencies to hasten their use of innovative methods. The AID program builds on the success of the agency’s ongoing Every Day Counts initiative, a partnership between the Federal Highway Administration and state and local transportation agencies to accelerate the deployment of innovative methods and cut project delivery times.

ADOT expects to replace the lighting system beginning in 2015, which will require new conduit and wiring in the quarter-mile-long tunnel. The total project cost is estimated to be $3.8 million.

ADOT was one of only six states to receive one of the grants designed to accelerate deployment of innovative transportation projects, and the $1 million grant to Arizona matched Michigan’s for the largest received.

From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

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From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

From the ADOT Archives: Replacing a bulb on I-15

January 29, 2014

This photo was taken on I-15 in December 1978.

Acrophobia, also known as a fear of heights, apparently isn’t something the man in this photo suffers from…

Working to replace a light bulb, this (we assume) ADOT employee actually looks rather comfortable suspended several feet in the air.

The photo was taken in December 1978 and, according to our notes, was snapped on I-15 near the Cedar Pocket exit.

You might remember we recently featured a vehicle that looks very similar to the one in this picture. The modern bucket truck is used primarily by ADOT’s Signal and Lighting crews to repair and maintain traffic signals and lights – same as it was 35 years ago!

Nowadays, ADOT crews wear a full-body harness and hard hat before getting lifted (it’s difficult to tell from this photo if that was the case back then). Today’s crews also go out in twos when operating a bucket truck – one person operates an arrow board/attenuator truck (to warn traffic) and one will be in the bucket making repairs to the light or signal.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

Vehicles of ADOT: Bucket Trucks

Vehicles of ADOT: Bucket Trucks

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Vehicles of ADOT: Bucket Trucks

Vehicles of ADOT: Bucket Trucks

December 5, 2013

This bucket truck extends up to 45 feet.

With more than 6,000 miles of highway to oversee and maintain, ADOT relies on its fleet of trusty vehicles to help get the job done. We’re not referring to your everyday trucks and sedans – we are talking about heavy-duty equipment, designed and built to perform some enormous tasks.

Because these vehicles play such an integral role in ADOT’s everyday operations, we thought it’d be fitting to highlight some of them here on the blog.

So, let’s get things started by introducing you to ADOT’s bucket trucks…

Extending up to 45 feet, these trucks are used primarily by ADOT’s Signal and Lighting crews to repair and maintain traffic signals and lights.

The bucket truck is used to repair traffic signals, freeway lights (the shorter poles) and the lights that shine underneath bridge decks.

2013-1205-bucket_truck

The bucket trucks have compartments used for supplies.

By the way, there is also a larger bucket truck available that’s used to work on the taller freeway light poles – it reaches 68 feet.

Before an ADOT crew member can get in the bucket and head on up, they have to stay safe and put on a full-body harness and a hard hat. Also, before the bucket will elevate, a couple of stabilizers extend out of the sides of the truck (kind of like hydraulic kick stands) to keep things nice and steady.

Another safety factor – two crew members go out with these trucks. One person operates an arrow board/attenuator truck (to warn traffic) and one will be up in the bucket making repairs to the light or signal.

One more thing about these trucks is that they have several compartments that allow crews to carry along all the supplies necessary to make a repair.

You can learn more about ADOT’s Signals and Lighting crews, by reading some of our previous posts. And, be sure to stay tuned for upcoming blog posts about the Vehicles of ADOT.

Results of signal coordination show big improvements

Results of signal coordination show big improvements

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Results of signal coordination show big improvements

Results of signal coordination show big improvements

February 29, 2012
Blog Default

ADOT’s efforts to ease some of the stop-and-go traffic on Grand Avenue have been pretty successful so far, but you don’t have to just take our word – we’ve got the results to prove it!

Before we reveal those findings, let’s back things up a bit first … 

You may recall this blog post from a few weeks ago. In it we described how ADOT worked with the cities of Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, El Mirage, Surprise and Youngtown, as well as Maricopa County, on a project to coordinate traffic signal timing at a total of 36 Grand Avenue intersections.

The signals were synched, or coordinated, to improve the flow of southeast-bound traffic during weekday mornings and to assist northwest-bound traffic during the afternoon.

Basically, the idea was to reduce the number of red lights drivers come across during their rush-hour commutes.

Drivers may have quickly noticed the difference, but ADOT wanted to quantify those results and measure how much of an improvement was made. A study on the corridor just wrapped up and judging by the results, it seems the impact has been considerable.

In fact, the average travel time has been reduced by 15 percent in the morning (for traffic heading southeast) and 20 percent in the evening (for motorists driving northwest). That equates to a roughly seven-minute saving for commuters who drive the entire corridor in the morning and a ten-minute savings for afternoon drivers!

On top of that, the average number of stops for a driver traveling the entire corridor was reduced from roughly 16 to 10 in the morning and from 21 to 9 in the afternoon. The study also shows that motorists in the morning and evening experienced an average increase in speed by about five miles per hour.

In addition to the time savings, the study found that vehicles saw decreases in fuel consumption and emissions.

How the study was conducted 
Data was collected both before and after the Grand Avenue signals were coordinated. ADOT consultants did this by completing six travel time runs in both directions (northwest and southeast) during the morning, afternoon and evening peak traffic periods.

All the measurements were taken on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays over a two-week period. The “before” times were taken in October/November and the “after” times were recorded in mid-January.

To complete a travel time run, test drivers started at one end of the corridor and drove all the way to the other end. To ensure the cars were essentially traveling the median speed, drivers were instructed to pass one vehicle for each vehicle that passed them.

In order to gather the data, each car was equipped with a GPS device (smart phone or tablet). The GPS data was recorded using an application designed for calculating travel time information.

ADOT Phoenix Maintenance District Engineer Tim Wolfe says the project and study proves signal coordination can make a significant difference.

“We were certainly pleased by the improvements,” Wolfe said.