PHOENIX – Whether you live in the Show Low area or visit the region to escape the heat, the Arizona Department of Transportation along with Show Low and other White Mountains communities want to know how you get around.

ADOT is administering a transportation study for southern Navajo and Apache counties that will evaluate the current transportation infrastructure in the region and make project recommendations over the next 20 years. These projects may involve roads, bike lanes, transit routes, pedestrian trails or anything that will improve mobility within the region for residents and visitors.

Area residents and those who own summer homes or visit the area frequently are encouraged to provide their input by completing an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/SNAC_Plan.

Representatives of the transportation study team will also have a booth at the upcoming Show Low Days festival June 1-3 with surveys people can fill out.

All comments must be submitted by Saturday, June 16.

The southern Navajo and Apache County region began this regional transportation plan update due to the surge in population growth and economic development that is placing a huge burden on the existing infrastructure.

The study region includes Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and unincorporated areas of southern Navajo and Apache counties, including the communities of Concho and Vernon.

PHOENIX – An open house Tuesday, May 22, in Ahwatukee will allow attendees to view renderings and provide feedback on a 32nd Street traffic interchange the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

ADOT and project representatives will be available from 6-8 p.m. in the Desert Vista High School cafeteria at 16440 S. 32nd St., Phoenix.

While there will be no formal presentation, attendees will be able to speak one-on-one with project staff about the 32nd Street interchange environmental study, which began in February. They also can complete a questionnaire.

In addition, representatives of Connect 202 Partners, the developer building the freeway, will be available to answer construction-related questions.

For those unable to attend, there are still plenty of ways to provide feedback through June 4, including:

• Online: SouthMountainFreeway.com (click on the 32nd Street questionnaire or visit 32ndStreetStudy)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1.833.310.2470
• Mail: c/o ADOT Communications, 101 N. First Ave., St. 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85003-19234

A similar open house is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, in Laveen regarding a South Mountain Freeway interchange being considered at Ivanhoe Street.

The latest project information is available via the project website at SouthMountainFreeway.com, email and text updates (click “Subscribe for Updates” on the project website), and the project hotline numbers (1.855.763.5202, or para Español, 623.239.4558).

The 22-mile freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – Based on community input since the start of construction, the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering two additional interchanges for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.
Two open houses are scheduled this month as part of the environmental study process on possible interchanges at 32nd Street in Ahwatukee and at Ivanhoe Street, located between the Ahwatukee and Laveen areas

Community members can view renderings and provide feedback by completing a questionnaire in person. Staff from Connect 202 Partners, the developer of the South Mountain Freeway, will answer questions regarding construction updates on Pecos and Center segments of the freeway:

• 32nd Street Traffic Interchange Study/Pecos Segment Construction Update Open House: Tuesday, May 22,  Desert Vista High School, Cafeteria, 16440 S. 32nd St., Phoenix

• Ivanhoe Street Traffic Interchange Study/Center Segment Construction Update Open House: Wednesday, May 30, Laveen Elementary School District Office, Building A, 5001 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix

Both open houses are scheduled from 6-8 p.m. There is no formal presentation. The public can speak one-on-one with project staff about the studies and learn more about construction progress to date and what to expect for the rest of the year.

Those unable to attend the open houses can provide feedback through June 4 via channels including: 

• Online: SouthMountainFreeway.com (click on the 32nd Street and Ivanhoe Street questionnaires or visit 32ndStreetStudy.com and IvanhoeStreetStudy.com)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1.833.310.2470
• Mail: c/o ADOT Communications, 101 N. First Ave., St. 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85003-19234

The latest project information is available via the project website at SouthMountainFreeway.com, email and text updates (click “Subscribe for Updates” on the project website), and the project hotline numbers (1.855.763.5202, or para Español, 623.239.4558). 

The 22-mile freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.

PHOENIX – As the Arizona Department of Transportation studies and develops long-term visions for two major Flagstaff corridors, the agency will hold public meetings on the first two Thursdays in May to solicit input.

The public meeting on the US 180 Corridor Master Plan will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Flagstaff High School Commons, 400 W. Elm Ave. ADOT will also host a public meeting for the Milton Road Corridor Master Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the same location.

Both meetings will begin with a brief presentation, followed by an open house during which the public can talk with ADOT representatives.

Each corridor master plan will set a 20-year vision for US 180 and Milton Road with suggested projects aimed at improving traffic flow and maintaining safety.

US 180, the primary route between Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl and other snow-play areas, has seen heavy traffic during winter weekends. The study area for US 180 runs from the intersection of Humphreys Street and Route 66 to the Crowley Pit at milepost 233.

Milton Road, also known as State Route 89A, is the primary roadway through the heart of Flagstaff. It sees traffic delays during weekday rush hours and experiences backups during winter weekends.

The study area for Milton Road runs from Forest Meadows Street near the southern entrance to Flagstaff to the point where Milton turns into Route 66 at Butler Avenue and goes to Beaver Street.

For more information on these important studies, visit azdot.gov.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to gather comments for its proposed Five-Year Construction Program by reaching out to all members of the public and communities statewide for their input on which projects should move forward over the next few years.

The second public hearing for the 2019-2023 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, April 20, at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff. The monthly State Transportation Board meeting will follow.

In its Tentative Program, ADOT proposes several major expansion projects along Arizona’s Key Commerce Corridors, the state’s busiest highways. Better mobility means better daily commutes and travel, along with enhanced freight movement, trade, commerce and economic development. Projects include:

• The first phase of a project beginning in fiscal year 2019 to improve State Route 189 in Nogales between the Mariposa Port of Entry and Interstate 19
• Two major widening projects along US 93 in fiscal years 2020 and 2023 that will bring ADOT closer to its goal of completing a four-lane divided highway from Wickenburg to Interstate 40, laying the groundwork for the future Interstate 11
• Widening Interstate 17 in areas between Anthem and Sunset Point in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, with specific areas and projects still under study
• Widening the last section of State Route 260 near Star Valley beginning in fiscal year 2023 (the Lion Springs section), reaching ADOT’s goal of completing a four-lane divided highway along the entire length of the corridor

These are just some of the projects that are included in the 2019-2023 Tentative Five-Year Program. The complete report is available at azdot.gov for review and comment until June 5.

The Tentative Program also reaches the department's goal of allocating at least $260 million per year for the preservation of the state highway system. Preservation projects include repaving highways, filling potholes, extending the life cycle of existing pavement, and repairing or reconstructing bridges.

In addition, ADOT has proposed increasing the amount of preservation funding to $320 million per year during the next six to 10 years as part of the recently adopted Long-Range Transportation Plan, a blueprint for investment priorities over the next 25 years.

The complete report, posted with a “how to read it” guide, is available at azdot.gov for review and comment. ADOT welcomes feedback via an online form, by email at [email protected] and by phone at 855.712.8530.

Here are the details for the remaining public hearings (the first was on March 16 in Sahuarita), a follow-up study session and the State Transportation Board’s June meeting, where the final Five-Year Program is expected to be approved. All hearings begin at 9 a.m.:

April 20: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.

May 18: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting in the ADOT Administration Building Auditorium, 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix.

June 5: State Transportation Board study session at ADOT’s Human Resources Development Center, 1130 N. 22nd Ave., Phoenix.

June 15: State Transportation Board meeting at the City of Globe Council Chambers, 150 N. Pine St., Globe.

PHOENIX – With multiple paving and improvement projects happening in the Flagstaff area this year, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to keep the public informed on progress and traffic restrictions with open houses this spring and summer.

Throughout April, work will begin on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff with paving and road reconstruction between Parks and Cataract Lake in Williams and reconstructing the westbound lanes west of Williams between mileposts 156 and 161. Paving and reconstruction work will also begin on Interstate 17 northbound between mileposts 312 and 340.

Also, the I-40 bridges over I-17 and Beulah Boulevard at the I-40/I-17 interchange are being revamped, requiring ramp closures and detours around the interchange.

To keep the public up-to-date on these projects, ADOT will host open houses at its facility, 1901 S. Milton Road in Flagstaff, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  April 9, May 8, June 12 and July 10.

Project teams will present information and answer questions on the construction schedule and traffic impacts.

For more information on these projects, visit azdot.gov/projects.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has scheduled an April 3 public meeting in Black Canyon City to provide an update about an ongoing study of potential improvements along Interstate 17 between Anthem and Cordes Junction.

ADOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, has been studying options for adding new travel lanes along I-17, with a focus on the 23-mile stretch between Anthem Way and Sunset Point Rest Area.

With the help of funds from the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Phoenix area’s metropolitan planning organization, projects to add new I-17 lanes in areas between Anthem and Black Canyon City are currently scheduled for construction in the years 2021-22.

An option also under consideration for the mountainous stretch of I-17 between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point is the construction of flex lanes, a separate pair of new lanes for use in the busiest direction of travel or in the event of a closure.

The meeting is scheduled as follows:

What: I-17 Improvements Study open-house meeting

When: Tuesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Cãnon Elementary School, 34630 S. School Loop Road, Black Canyon City 85324

ADOT will conduct a formal presentation about the I-17 improvement options at 6:30 p.m. Residents, business owners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about potential improvements and to submit comments.

Members of ADOT’s I-17 study team will be available to answer questions.

Those who cannot attend the meeting are invited to submit written comments by email to [email protected] or by mail to ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

The ADOT Project Information phone number is 1.855.712.8530.

PHOENIX – Major corridors for passenger and freight traffic would be expanded and improved during the next five years as part of a proposed annual update to the Arizona Department of Transportation's lineup of projects that will be available for public comment beginning Friday, March 16. 

The 2019-2023 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program also reaches the department's goal of allocating at least $260 million per year for preservation of bridges and highways throughout the state highway system. 

In addition, ADOT has proposed increasing the amount of preservation funding to $320 million per year during the next six to 10 years as part of the recently adopted Long-Range Transportation Plan, a blueprint for investment priorities over the next 25 years.

“ADOT is committed to moving people and freight safely and efficiently every day on the Key Commerce Corridors that connect Arizona to major markets and help us better compete for quality jobs, economic growth and prosperity,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “But just as important is the need to preserve and maintain our $21.5 billion system to keep our highways and bridges in good repair and functioning as they should.”

Preservation projects include repaving highways, filling potholes, extending the life cycle of existing pavement, and repairing or reconstructing bridges.

Key expansion projects round out the system by increasing mobility and connectivity while reducing traffic congestion. Major projects ADOT is proposing along highly traveled corridors over the next five years include: 

• Two major widening projects along US 93 in fiscal years 2020 and 2023 that will bring ADOT closer to its goal of completing a four-lane divided highway from Wickenburg to Interstate 40, laying the groundwork for the future Interstate 11
• Widening Interstate 17 in areas between Anthem and Sunset Point in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, with specific areas and projects still under study
• Widening the last section of State Route 260 near Star Valley beginning in fiscal year 2023 (the Lion Springs section), reaching ADOT’s goal of completing a four-lane divided highway along the entire length of that corridor

The public comment period for the 2019-2023 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program begins Friday, March 16, and ends at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 5. It includes public hearings in Sahuarita (Friday, March 16), Flagstaff (Friday, April 20) and Phoenix (Friday, May 18). The State Transportation Board will make its final decision in June about what will be in the updated Five-Year Program.

The complete report, posted with a “how to read it” guide, will be available on Friday, March 16, at azdot.gov for review and comment. ADOT welcomes feedback via an online form, by email at [email protected] and by phone at 855.712.8530.

Here are the details for the three public hearings, a follow-up study session and the State Transportation Board’s June meeting, where the final Five-Year Program will be approved. All hearings begin at 9 a.m.:

March 16: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting at the Town of Sahuarita Council Chambers, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita.

April 20: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff.

May 18: Public hearing and State Transportation Board meeting in the ADOT Administration Building Auditorium, 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix.

June 5: State Transportation Board study session at ADOT’s Human Resources Development Center, 1130 N. 22nd Ave., Phoenix.

June 15: State Transportation Board meeting at the City of Globe Council Chambers, 150 N. Pine St., Globe.

PHOENIX – Members of the public are welcome to provide input on an update to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s State Aviation System Plan.

The update, which evaluates the current and future performance of Arizona’s 67 publicly owned, public-use airports, will help guide ADOT’s long-term planning so the state’s aviation system can safely meet the evolving needs of residents, visitors and businesses.

State aviation system plans are typically updated every seven to 10 years. Arizona’s was last updated in 2008.

Three public meetings are scheduled this month in Mesa, Tucson and Flagstaff. Each meeting will be an open house with a formal presentation at 2 p.m. The same information will be shared at each:

Mesa

• 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23
• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, 5835 S. Sossaman Road | Airport Administration Building, Airport Board Room

Tucson

• 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24
• Tucson International Airport, 7250 S. Tucson Blvd. | Airport Terminal Board Room, Second Floor

Flagstaff

• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25
• Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET), 2201 N. Gemini Road | Accelerator, Alternate EOC Building, Room 100

Additional information is available at azdot.gov/SASPUpdate, which lists contacts for those unable to attend the meetings but wishing to comment by email or phone.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking input from community members on a bridge rehabilitation project along Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge with a public hearing on Nov. 29 in Littlefield.

Those attending the hearing, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Beaver Dam Lodge, 452 Old Highway 91 North, can review and comment on the draft environmental assessment for the bridge project. A formal presentation is scheduled from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The hearing will present three issues identified with Bridge No. 1 along I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge as well as a preferred design solution to replace the bridge and widen the roadway shoulders.

The draft environmental assessment, which is available for review through Dec. 14, can be reviewed online at www.azdot.gov/i15ea and at the following locations during business hours:

• Mesquite Library, 121 W. First North St., Mesquite, Nevada 
• Washington County Library-St. George Branch, 88 W. 100 South St., St. George, Utah
• Beaver Dam Lodge, 452 Old Highway 91 North, Littlefield, Arizona

Outside of the public hearing, community members can provide comments on the draft environmental assessment through the following ways:

• In writing: I-15, Bridge 1, 101 N. First Ave., Suite 2600, Phoenix, AZ 85003
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 855.712.8530

For more information on this and other projects, visit azdot.gov.