Rest Areas

PODCAST: Keeping ADOT rest areas ready for travelers is no small task

PODCAST: Keeping ADOT rest areas ready for travelers is no small task

PODCAST: Keeping ADOT rest areas ready for travelers is no small task

PODCAST: Keeping ADOT rest areas ready for travelers is no small task

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications
November 3, 2024
On the Road With ADOT Logo

Listen to the podcast! (or use the embed below)

When you need to stretch your legs, safely use your phone or answer an urgent call of nature, there's no more welcome sign along our highways than Rest Area

A lot goes into making sure these facilities are clean, stocked and ready to serve travelers 24 hours a day throughout the year, including having resident caretakers at larger rest areas. That's why this week's episode of On the Road With ADOT features Bobby Wheeler, ADOT's rest area manager. 

Spend a few minutes listening to Bobby chat with our host, Doug Nintzel, and you'll have a new appreciation for the planning and engineering that go into making rest areas available across Arizona. 

You can subscribe to episodes of On the Road with ADOT through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You also can find episodes at azdot.gov/Podcast and featured in ADOT Blog posts. You can subscribe to episodes of On the Road with ADOT through Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You also can find episodes at azdot.gov/Podcast and featured in ADOT Blog posts.

Interstate 8 Sentinel Rest Areas reopen after rehabilitation

Interstate 8 Sentinel Rest Areas reopen after rehabilitation

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Interstate 8 Sentinel Rest Areas reopen after rehabilitation

Interstate 8 Sentinel Rest Areas reopen after rehabilitation

January 22, 2024

Facilities received upgrades to restrooms, parking lots, water systems, more

PHOENIX – The Interstate 8 Sentinel Rest Areas located about 30 miles west of Gila Bend have reopened after renovations to their restrooms, parking lots, water and wastewater systems, and more. 

The facilities, serving both directions of I-8 at milepost 83, closed in late 2021. Other improvements from the $7.6 million renovation include updated pavement markings and signage, along with improving access for individuals with disabilities. 

To learn more about ADOT’s rest areas, please visit azdot.gov/RestAreas.

 


 

Sneak-peek at Sunset Point Rest Area renovations

Sneak-peek at Sunset Point Rest Area renovations

Sneak-peek at Sunset Point Rest Area renovations

Sneak-peek at Sunset Point Rest Area renovations

By Doug Pacey / ADOT Communications
March 7, 2023
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Renovation of the Sunset Point Rest Area along Interstate 17 is ongoing and we're sharing a peek at the work being done at the rest area.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Arizona DOT (@arizona_dot)

Sunset Point Rest Area is located along I-17 at milepost 252, approximately 10 miles south of Cordes Junction. The $7.5 million project will rehabilitate or upgrade the facility’s water and septic systems, ramadas, restrooms and vending buildings. In addition, truck parking will be expanded. Some of the improvements include:

  • Renovating the existing closed south and family restrooms and vending buildings that include replacing or upgrading lighting fixtures, doors, sinks, hardware, hand dryers and other components.
  • Renovating existing ramadas.
  • Replacing or upgrading exterior features, including signage, sidewalks, lighting and landscape.
  • Renovating the sundial memorial.

The improvements will also make the rest area more accessible for persons with disabilities.

Work began in Summer 2022 and the rest area is expected to reopen before the summer travel season in 2023. While the project is underway, a temporary rest area will be open four miles north of Sunset Point at the Badger Springs Road exit (milepost 256). This rest area is open to passenger vehicles and non-commercial trucks only. It will not have access for commercial semi trucks, oversize loads, large RV’s and vehicles towing trailers.

The existing rest area parking lot will remain open to commercial truck traffic only.

More information about the rehabilitation project are available on the project page.

Next phase of Sunset Point Rest Area renovation will begin Sept. 28

Next phase of Sunset Point Rest Area renovation will begin Sept. 28

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Next phase of Sunset Point Rest Area renovation will begin Sept. 28

Next phase of Sunset Point Rest Area renovation will begin Sept. 28

September 22, 2022

PHOENIX – While crews have been working behind the scenes at the Sunset Point Rest Area along Interstate 17 at milepost 252 since July, the next phase of work will require the rest area to close to the general public on Wednesday, Sept. 28. 

During the closure, commercial truck drivers will be allowed to continue using Sunset Point to park their vehicles and get some rest. Although facilities will be limited, portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be provided for commercial drivers to use. 

A temporary rest area will be available for use by passenger vehicles and non-commercial trucks at the Badger Springs Road exit on I-17 located 4 miles north of Sunset Point. The temporary facility will have parking, portable restrooms and handwashing stations. It will not be able to accommodate commercial vehicles, oversize loads, large RVs and vehicles with trailers. Motorists with those types of vehicles may use Sunset Point, if necessary, but are encouraged to use other nearby private facilities.

The rest area will be located on the east side of I-17 and can be accessed by north- and southbound traffic at Exit 256. Drivers can also use facilities in other areas, including Black Canyon City, which is about 10 miles south of the rest area, and Cordes Junction, which is 10 miles to the north.

The long-planned renovation project is unrelated to the I-17 Improvement Project, which will  expand and improve travel lanes on I-17 south of Sunset Point to Anthem Way. The rest area renovation project will upgrade the water and septic systems as well as the restrooms and vending areas. Truck parking will also be expanded as well as improvements to make the rest area more accessible for people with disabilities.

Other improvements to be made to the Sunset Point Rest Area include renovation of covered ramadas and upgrading sidewalks, lighting and signage. Crews also will work to renovate a sundial memorial honoring ADOT highway workers who have died in the line of duty. 

The $7.5 million project is expected to be completed before the 2023 summer travel season.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/Sunset-Point-Rehabilitation.

Sunset Point Rest Area to receive upgrades to water system, facilities

Sunset Point Rest Area to receive upgrades to water system, facilities

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Sunset Point Rest Area to receive upgrades to water system, facilities

Sunset Point Rest Area to receive upgrades to water system, facilities

July 6, 2022

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is starting a project to renovate and upgrade facilities at the Sunset Point Rest Area along Interstate 17 at milepost 252 north of Phoenix. 

The project will upgrade the water and septic systems as well as the restrooms and vending areas. An improved, renovated rest area with reconstructed bathrooms, sewers and waterline facilities will be in place by next spring. Truck parking will also be expanded as well as improvements to make the rest area more accessible for people with disabilities.

Project work for the Sunset Point Rest Area will start Monday, July 11. This initial work will not impact the traveling public until after the busy summer season. The next phase of work will require the rest area be closed to non-commercial traffic after Labor Day.

Other improvements to be made to the Sunset Point Rest Area include renovation of covered ramadas and upgrading sidewalks, lighting and signage. Crews also will work to renovate a sundial memorial honoring ADOT highway workers who have died in the line of duty. 

The $7.5 million project is expected to be completed by the summer travel season in 2023.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/Sunset-Point-Rehabilitation.

I-10 Bouse Wash Rest Area reopens following renovations

I-10 Bouse Wash Rest Area reopens following renovations

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-10 Bouse Wash Rest Area reopens following renovations

I-10 Bouse Wash Rest Area reopens following renovations

June 16, 2022

 

PHOENIX – The Bouse Wash Rest Area on Interstate 10 in western Arizona has reopened following a year-long renovation project.

Improvements by the Arizona Department of Transportation include upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, replacing restroom fixtures and expanding the parking lot. Also, renovations improved and modernized ramadas, water and wastewater systems, vending buildings and other equipment.

The renovations took place on the eastbound and westbound rest areas, which are west of Tonopah at milepost 53.

The improvements are the latest ADOT has made in recent years to repair and replace infrastructure that has been in place for as long as 50 years.

Motorists may use this link to find a map of all ADOT rest areas.

While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

While traveling during the holiday season, save the phone for the rest area

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications
December 16, 2021

With the holiday season upon us, many will be traveling to see family and friends for Christmas and New Year’s. There’s also the possibility of receiving snow in the high country, which will attract day-trippers.

With these extra incentives to travel, it’s important to remember to not drive distracted. Distracted driving is dangerous and we’ve all heard and seen stories where tragedy strikes in a glance of a text.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

In 2020 in Arizona, more than 8,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say many drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.

So, when traveling during the holiday season, spread some Christmas cheer by not driving distracted. Make use of the rest areas when nature calls, but also for making phone calls or sending texts while you’re safely off the road and not driving. 

While we’re on the topic, check out ADOT’s Emmy Award-winning distracted driving awareness campaign, “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me.”

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

I-17 101 traffic interchange

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

When traveling this holiday season, save the phone for rest areas

December 14, 2021

PHOENIX – With many traveling to see family and friends this holiday season, plus the potential for snow up north attracting day-trippers, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers not to drive distracted.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

“Distracted driving is dangerous. We’ve all seen stories where tragedy strikes because a driver glanced at a text,” said State Engineer Dallas Hammit. “Paying attention when you are driving will help everyone get safely home this holiday season.”

In 2020 in Arizona, more than 8,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say many drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.

To get more resources about distracted driving and see ADOT’s Emmy Award-winning distracted driving campaign, visit azdot.gov/terrify.

Texas Canyon Rest Area restrooms reopened after emergency water line repairs

Texas Canyon Rest Area restrooms reopened after emergency water line repairs

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Texas Canyon Rest Area restrooms reopened after emergency water line repairs

Texas Canyon Rest Area restrooms reopened after emergency water line repairs

March 5, 2021

PHOENIX – The restrooms at the Texas Canyon Rest Area on Interstate 10 at milepost 320 have reopened after crews made an emergency repair to the water line, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The rest area’s other facilities such as parking, pet areas and ramadas remained open while repairs were made.

The rest area is located 70 miles east of Tucson. 

For more rest area locations, visit azdot.gov/restareas.

Quick turnaround for commercial vehicle parking at rest areas

Quick turnaround for commercial vehicle parking at rest areas

Quick turnaround for commercial vehicle parking at rest areas

Quick turnaround for commercial vehicle parking at rest areas

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications
June 12, 2020

Two fast-moving projects are promoting safety along the I-40 corridor. One of these projects entered the planning stages a few months ago and just finished construction last week: commercial truck parking expansion at the Haviland Rest Area west of Kingman.

Because the Haviland Rest Area project was deemed an emergency due to the current public health situation, it moved from approval to finish in under three months to help long-haul truckers who have been crucial in COVID-19 relief efforts.

The rest area, which has an eastbound and westbound facility, had 14 total parking spaces (seven in each direction) for commercial vehicles to use. Now, that number has been expanded by 38 spaces – 22 for the eastbound facility and 16 for the westbound facility.

Truckers are already using the new parking spaces, as you can see from the photo. 

A similar project is at Meteor Crater Rest Area, located on I-40 between Flagstaff and Winslow. The rest area currently has 65 spaces for commercial trucks to use. That number is going to nearly double as crews add 56 spaces – 32 for westbound and 24 for eastbound.

Combined, these two projects are adding nearly 100 parking spaces for commercial vehicles along the busy I-40 corridor. More parking spaces means more opportunities for truckers to rest, which in turn means safer roads for everyone.

The project at Meteor Crater is scheduled to wrap up in the next several weeks.