Loop 101

Preserving, relocating native plants a big part of ADOT's Loop 101 project

Preserving, relocating native plants a big part of ADOT's Loop 101 project

Preserving, relocating native plants a big part of ADOT's Loop 101 project

June 23, 2016

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

What weighs up to 5,000 pounds, is more than 100 years old and can be more than a little prickly about moving?

Give up?

It’s one of the hundreds of saguaros in temporary quarters next to the Loop 101 Pima Freeway project.

As portions of the project wrap up, crews have been working to move more than 1,000 saguaros, along with native trees, to new locations.

Transplanting the massive desert plants isn’t an easy task. The video above explains what goes into maneuvering these thorny giants.

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Foam allows ADOT to give freeways a boost

Foam allows ADOT to give freeways a boost

Foam allows ADOT to give freeways a boost

May 27, 2016

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

When driving on a highway, you may occasionally notice a slight dip. That can be because the roadway has settled. As we shared this week, in such cases ADOT can turn to a high-tech option that lifts the pavement and fixes the imperfections without workers having to dig up the road.

The foam expands below ground, stabilizing the soil while it lifts the surface.

Check out the video above showing the foam-injection process and its benefits through a project along the Loop 101 Pima Freeway.

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Planned weekend paving closure on Loop 101 postponed due to weather

Planned weekend paving closure on Loop 101 postponed due to weather

Planned weekend paving closure on Loop 101 postponed due to weather

April 6, 2016

PHOENIX – This weekend’s planned full closure of northbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) between Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and Thomas Road for rubberized asphalt paving has been postponed with rain and cooler temperatures in the forecast, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews are scheduled instead to resurface several northbound Loop 101 on- and off-ramps and right merge lanes in the Scottsdale area late Friday night and Saturday (April 8-9).

The northbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Thomas Road, off- and on-ramps at Indian School Road and off-ramp at Chaparral Road are scheduled to be closed from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Saturday (April 9) for rubberized asphalt paving. The northbound Loop 101 right lane also will be closed between Thomas and Chaparral roads.

Drivers are asked to allow extra travel time in the area and use other on- and off-ramps, including those at McDowell Road and McDonald Drive.

Work to add a new layer of smooth rubberized asphalt on Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) in the Scottsdale area will require a series of weekend freeway closures lasting into June. The paving schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors, including availability of equipment and materials.

The work is part of the $73 million project to widen an 11-mile stretch of Loop 101 south of Shea Boulevard, where new lanes and other improvements are being added to the freeway. The project started in August 2014 and is set for completion by this fall.

ADOT, Phoenix open SR 51 ramps at Black Mountain Boulevard

ADOT, Phoenix open SR 51 ramps at Black Mountain Boulevard

ADOT, Phoenix open SR 51 ramps at Black Mountain Boulevard

March 20, 2016

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has opened elevated ramps connecting State Route 51 at the Loop 101 Pima Freeway with Black Mountain Boulevard, improving access in the Desert Ridge area.

A roundabout serves as a transition to slow traffic to and from the freeway, and a pedestrian bridge has been added over Black Mountain Boulevard near Pinnacle High School.

ADOT and Phoenix partnered on the $17.8 million ramps project, with ADOT managing construction that began in June 2015. A separate project, also managed by ADOT on behalf of the city, included improvements to Black Mountain Boulevard north to Pinnacle Peak Road.

“Our goal has been to deliver a project that helps the city with its transportation plans for the Desert Ridge area and beyond,” said ADOT Assistant Director Steve Boschen, who leads the agency’s Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division. “The ramps provide local drivers with direct access to State Route 51.”

“As the city continues to develop in the north, better transportation options are needed to meet the needs of a growing city,” said Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who chairs the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “The new ramps will provide options for a rapidly growing area.”

At the roundabout, along Black Mountain Boulevard south of the high school, signs direct drivers to slow to 20 mph. Motorists also should be prepared to yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

While helping high school students cross Black Mountain Boulevard, the pedestrian bridge also is part of the Reach 11 trail within a 1,500-acre recreation area popular with hikers and bicyclists.

The connections between State Route 51 and Black Mountain Boulevard have been part of Phoenix’s plans for the Desert Ridge region for several years. The project was funded as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan approved by county voters in 2004.

The Ramps Awaken! ADOT reopens Loop 101 ramps at Via de Ventura after reconstruction work

The Ramps Awaken! ADOT reopens Loop 101 ramps at Via de Ventura after reconstruction work

The Ramps Awaken! ADOT reopens Loop 101 ramps at Via de Ventura after reconstruction work

December 18, 2015

PHOENIX - All four of the Loop 101 on- and off-ramps at Via de Ventura are open to traffic again as progress continues on ADOT's freeway-widening project in the Scottsdale area.

Following a two-month closure for reconstruction work, the Loop 101 ramps at Via de Ventura were reopened overnight (Thursday night). The ramps were reconstructed to fit with the new freeway lanes being added along Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway).

The entire $73 million Loop 101 project in the East Valley is scheduled for completion next year.

Loop 101 widening project progresses past halfway point

Loop 101 widening project progresses past halfway point

Loop 101 widening project progresses past halfway point

November 25, 2015

If you watch this update from a year ago and compare it to today’s video, you’ll get a sense of just how much the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) widening project has progressed in the past 12 months…

Currently, work is more than 50 percent complete. Crews are adding one travel lane in each direction to the Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and McKellips Road. The project also includes the addition of merge lanes between most major traffic interchanges, ramp improvements, new rubberized asphalt and the addition of two travel lanes from the northbound Loop 101/Loop 202 interchange entrance ramp to McDowell Road.

Just like last year, we want to remind drivers that there will be no full closures on this project during the upcoming busy holiday season. Drivers can again rest assured that crews will avoid construction-related closures during some of the big events planned in the area through early 2016.

“You’ll see a little bit of construction through the winter months, but that’s really when we’re going to slow down to make it so we don’t impact the traveling public,” says Senior Resident Engineer Dan Haskins in the video above. “Next April, we’re going to make our next big push to try to get a lot of this project done and completed. We want the people in Scottsdale, when they’re driving it, to be proud of what we’ve provided back to them. They have definitely been patient through this project and we want to make sure we’re giving them the best product we possibly can.”

Drivers are urged to slow down in the work zone and obey the lowered speed limit.

Find additional details in our previous posts or check out the project’s progress on our Flickr Page.

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Loop 101 ramps at Chaparral Road reopened following reconstruction work

Loop 101 ramps at Chaparral Road reopened following reconstruction work

Loop 101 ramps at Chaparral Road reopened following reconstruction work

November 13, 2015

PHOENIX — There’s good news for many Loop 101 commuters in the Scottsdale area. Drivers are again able to use the on- and off-ramps at the Chaparral Road interchange near Scottsdale Community College, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews reopened the Loop 101 ramps at Chaparral Road Thursday night (Nov. 12), following two months of improvement work. The ramps were reconstructed to fit with the new freeway lanes being added as part of the Loop 101 widening project between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway).

Meanwhile, ADOT anticipates the southbound Loop 101 off- and on-ramps at Thomas Road, which closed in September, will reopen by late this month. All four of the Loop 101 on- and off-ramps at Via De Ventura, which closed in October for reconstruction, are due to reopen by late December.

The work is part of the $73 million project to add new right lanes along Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The entire project is scheduled for completion next year.

Work continues on Loop 101 widening project

Work continues on Loop 101 widening project

Work continues on Loop 101 widening project

October 23, 2015

Since work on the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) widening project is more than 50 percent complete, we thought now would be the perfect time for an update…

As you can see in the photos, crews are continuing work on the project that, when complete, will add one travel lane in each direction to the Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and McKellips Road.

The project also includes traffic-interchange improvements, new rubberized asphalt and the addition of two travel lanes from the northbound Loop 101/Loop 202 interchange entrance ramp to McDowell.

What motorists need to know

Crews will start placing rubberized asphalt pavement on sections of the project beginning this weekend (Oct. 23-Oct. 26).

Drivers can expect a closure of northbound Loop 101 between Rio Salado Parkway near the Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and McDowell Road from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Both Loop 202 ramps to northbound Loop 101 will be closed.

Because rubberized asphalt is temperature-sensitive and cannot be placed during very cold or very hot weather, right now is a good time to apply it in many parts of the state. If you’re interested in learning more, check out these previous posts on rubberized asphalt.

For a look at all our Loop 101 blog updates, including this recent one urging drivers to slow down in the work zone, please revisit these previous project posts.

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Loop 101 Pima Update: Ramps at 90th Street open again, ramps at Via De Ventura to close

Loop 101 Pima Update: Ramps at 90th Street open again, ramps at Via De Ventura to close

Loop 101 Pima Update: Ramps at 90th Street open again, ramps at Via De Ventura to close

October 16, 2015

PHOENIX — As the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) widening project continues in the Scottsdale area, drivers are again able to use the on- and off-ramps at the 90th Street interchange, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Crews reopened the Loop 101 ramps at 90th Street late last night (Thursday night) following two months of reconstruction work. The ramps were adjusted to fit into the new lanes being added as part of the Loop 101 widening project between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway).

The next stage of reconstruction work will close the Loop 101 on- and off-ramps at Via De Ventura for approximately 60 days starting at 10 p.m. Monday (Oct. 19). While the freeway ramps at Via De Ventura are closed, drivers can use the ramps at Indian Bend Road or 90th Street.

The work is part of the $73 million project to add new right lanes along Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The entire project is scheduled for completion next year.

Loop 101 drivers are urged to slow down in the work zone

Loop 101 drivers are urged to slow down in the work zone

Loop 101 drivers are urged to slow down in the work zone

October 5, 2015

If you’ve been following along with us, you know that we’ve been covering the Loop 101 widening project since work started last summer.

We’ve given you updates, shared a cool time-lapse video and even told you about that time an ASU class came to visit the site.

One thing we haven’t covered yet is speed. No, we’re not talking about the speed of the project’s progress (we actually have covered that – work currently is on schedule to wrap up late next year). We’re referring to the speed at which motorists are driving through the project’s work zone…

Crews have noted that not all drivers are slowing down to the reduced 55 mph speed limit. ADOT Transportation Engineering Specialist David Locher says the data shows that some vehicles are actually averaging about 70 mph through the area.

Work Zone Safety tips

Expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be restricted and people may be working on or near the road.
Slow down! Speeding is one of the major causes of work-zone crashes.
Keep a safe distance. The most common type of accident in a work zone is a rear-end collision. Maintain two car lengths between you and the car in front of you as well as road crews and their equipment.
Pay attention. The warning signs are there to help you move safely through the work zone. Observe the posted signs.
Obey road crew flaggers. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign. You can be cited for disobeying a flagger's directions.
Stay alert and minimize distractions. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phones while driving in a work zone.
Keep up with traffic flow. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Do not drive right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in.
Check road conditions before you travel. Schedule enough time to drive safely and check for traffic information by calling 511 or by logging on to az511.gov.
Be patient and stay calm. Remember, crews are working to improve the road and your commute.

Slow down in the work zone!

Crews need space to work, but instead of closing an entire lane through the work zone, ADOT opted to narrow each of the existing lanes to help keep traffic moving during the project.

“A typical lane is 12 feet wide and we’ve narrowed it to 11 feet wide,” Locher explains. “On top of that, we don’t have a shoulder during construction, so even the minor flat tire can become a back-up and there’s little room to maneuver if there is an accident.”

So, what should drivers do?

Department of Public Safety Spokesman Bart Graves reminds drivers that they have to slow down and obey all signs/warning devices in work zones – not only for the well-being of construction crews, but for their own safety.

“It’s really important that the motorists slow down and approach that area carefully” Graves said.

For more information on how to safely maneuver through work zones, please visit our Work Zone Safety page.

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