Roundabout

ADOT completes new roundabout in Camp Verde east of I-17

ADOT completes new roundabout in Camp Verde east of I-17

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT completes new roundabout in Camp Verde east of I-17

ADOT completes new roundabout in Camp Verde east of I-17

June 6, 2017

CAMP VERDE – Visitors and residents can better navigate a busy commercial area in Camp Verde just east of Interstate 17 thanks to a new roundabout installed by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The revamped intersection of State Route 260 and Industrial Drive, an area where many travelers pull over for gasoline, a bite to eat or a cup of coffee, will keep traffic flowing smoothly in all directions, as well as in and out of businesses.

Prior to this project, the area was congested with limited traffic movements making it longer and more difficult for drivers to access businesses.

The $1.3 million project also included new sidewalks on the north side of SR 260 between Cliffs Parkway and Main Street, and on the south side of SR 260 between Seventh Street and Main Street for improved pedestrian mobility.

While the roundabout is open to traffic, crews will be finishing landscaping, electrical work and other minor work over the next few weeks. Crews will also return for final permanent striping later this summer.

For more information on roundabouts and how to use them, visit azdot.gov/roundabouts.

Modern roundabout coming to Giss Parkway exit on I-8

Modern roundabout coming to Giss Parkway exit on I-8

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Modern roundabout coming to Giss Parkway exit on I-8

Modern roundabout coming to Giss Parkway exit on I-8

March 22, 2017

YUMA – A modern roundabout that will make it easier for drivers to exit westbound Interstate 8 at Giss Parkway in Yuma should be ready for travelers this fall.

The $2.5 million project to replace the existing intersection of the westbound I-8 exit at Giss will begin Monday, March 27. It is the first of three major Arizona Department of Transportation projects planned for the Yuma area in 2017. Work also is scheduled for the 4th Avenue Gateway area and the Araby Road interchange with I-8.

The Giss Parkway roundabout will be the first involving I-8 in the Yuma area. It will be similar to a smaller traffic circle on Giss at South Madison Avenue.

“Modern roundabouts are designed to move traffic more efficiently without the use of traffic lights,” said Paul Patane, ADOT’s Southwest District engineer. “ADOT has used modern roundabouts in other parts of the state and they have proven to move traffic smoothly and safely without the long delays that can come with traffic signals and stop signs.”

Traffic entering Giss from westbound I-8 will enter the roundabout, yielding to eastbound traffic, continuing around the circle and then driving toward Yuma City Hall. The roundabout will eliminate the stop sign that currently controls traffic.

The seven-month project also includes realigning westbound I-8 as well as the on- and off-ramps at Giss. Improved lighting, signage and drainage, as well as accommodations for cyclists, will be part of the improvement project.

The westbound I-8 ramps will be closed during the work. Drivers are encouraged to use US 95/16th Street or Winterhaven Drive in California as alternate routes.

Beginning this spring at the 4th Avenue Gateway, ADOT will add a right-turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path from 1st Avenue along the east side of 4th Avenue to the Yuma Canal bridge. The $773,000, seven-month project also includes rehabilitating the Yuma Crossing historic land marker.

At Araby Road and I-8, ADOT will add two modern roundabouts, one on each side of the freeway. Work will begin on the north side of the freeway this summer, pause for the produce harvest season, and resume in 2018.

The Araby interchange is one of the busiest intersections in Yuma with about 22,000 vehicles a day. The roundabouts, which will be large enough for commercial trucks, will improve driver safety and traffic flow. The cost of the project is $8.1 million.

Roundabout will improve safety, traffic flow in Camp Verde near I-17

Roundabout will improve safety, traffic flow in Camp Verde near I-17

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Roundabout will improve safety, traffic flow in Camp Verde near I-17

Roundabout will improve safety, traffic flow in Camp Verde near I-17

October 25, 2016

CAMP VERDE – A roundabout project on State Route 260 just east of Interstate 17 will enhance safety, and help visitors and residents better navigate a busy commercial area in Camp Verde.

The roundabout will be where SR 260 intersects with Industrial Drive, in an area where many travelers pull over for gasoline, a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.

The improvement will keep traffic flowing smoothly in all directions, as well as in and out of businesses. At present, traffic on Industrial Drive can only make right turns onto SR 260, while those on SR 260 can wait in long left-turn bays to get to businesses or turn around.

The Arizona Department of Transportation project, which will begin in the coming weeks and is set for completion in the spring, also will add sidewalks on the north side of SR 260 between Cliffs Parkway and Main Street, and on the south side of SR 260 between Seventh Street and Main Street.

While there will be traffic restrictions throughout the project, access to local businesses and properties will be maintained throughout.

For more information on roundabouts and how to use them, visit azdot.gov/roundabouts. Project information can be found at azdot.gov.

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.

Driving through a modern roundabout doesn’t have to be confusing

Driving through a modern roundabout doesn’t have to be confusing

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Driving through a modern roundabout doesn’t have to be confusing

Driving through a modern roundabout doesn’t have to be confusing

June 22, 2016

By Gant Wegner / ADOT Communications

With the summer travel season underway, more of us will be driving around Arizona to enjoy the state’s beauty and recreational opportunities. That means potentially driving on unfamiliar roads and encountering a different style of traffic intersection called a roundabout.

A modern roundabout is a circular intersection without traffic signals. It is designed to reduce crashes and improve the flow of traffic.

You will find roundabouts in many places around Arizona, including the Interstate 17/Happy Valley Road interchange in north Phoenix, the connection between Interstate 17 and State Route 89A south of Flagstaff, in the popular tourist corridor of Oak Creek and Sedona, on US 89 in Page and US 95 in San Luis, and on the north side of Payson along State Route 260.

Roundabouts work best when motorists follow a few rules and drive with care. For example, you should slow down to the posted speed limit, and signal your turn when entering and exiting a roundabout so other drivers know your next move.

You can learn about why we build them, and if you’re still looking for more, you can visit the roundabout page on our website.

And check out the video below for tips on using roundabouts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work on US 89 roundabout wraps up in Page

Work on US 89 roundabout wraps up in Page

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Work on US 89 roundabout wraps up in Page

Work on US 89 roundabout wraps up in Page

October 22, 2015

We have good news for drivers up north – work on the new roundabout at US 89 and Haul Road in Page is complete!

This project not only included construction of the roundabout, but it added a new raised median, too. Crews also installed a new right-turn bay in the southeast section of the intersection, new sidewalks, ramps, signs and lighting. Roadway drainage improvements were also part of the work, which started in early summer.

About that roundabout
If you drive the new roundabout, one thing you might notice is its size – it measures about 200 feet in diameter.

The large roundabout design was chosen for the intersection to help accommodate a variety of vehicles that frequently travel in the area, including oversized houseboats.

A traditional signalized intersection was investigated as a possible option; however traditional traffic signals would hang too low, limiting the size and height of the vehicles that could travel through the intersection.

By building a roundabout, a variety of vehicles can be accommodated.

More on roundabouts
Modern roundabouts are designed to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow. You can learn more about why we build them in this blog post from last month.

And, if you need a refresher on how to drive a roundabout, check out this video on maneuvering modern roundabouts.

If you’re still looking for more, you can visit the roundabout page on our website for all the details, including information on yielding to pedestrians, choosing the proper lane and what to do if you encounter an emergency vehicle in a roundabout.

I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

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I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

I-17/SR 89A intersection improvements wrap up near Flagstaff

September 16, 2015

Taken last week, this photo gives a look at the I-17/JW Powell traffic interchange improvement project.

It’s been a while since we last checked in up north on the I-17/JW Powell traffic interchange improvement project.

You remember this one, right? It was designed to improve traffic patterns and flow in the area near Fort Tuthill County Park by realigning SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard and constructing two roundabouts to provide a safer transition for traffic through the intersections.

Construction began in June 2014, but crews were actually at the site a year before that to thin out the trees in the project areas.

Before the project started, drivers were faced with one intersection (SR 89A/JW Powell Boulevard – also the south entrance to the Fort Tuthill County Park) that was very close to another intersection (JW Powell/I-17, which leads to the I-17 southbound ramps).

Now, for an update…

It’s done! Work is wrapping up and crews are in the process of pulling down construction signs. As you can see from the photo above, the area looks different than it did when construction was underway.

OK, so that update was short, but we also want to thank drivers for their patience during construction.

If you’d like to learn more about this project, please revisit our previous post and check out this informative video that gives a great overview of why the improvements were needed.

Why we build roundabouts

Why we build roundabouts

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Why we build roundabouts

Why we build roundabouts

September 15, 2015

By now, most of you have probably encountered a roundabout.

They’re being built more and more frequently because of the benefits they provide, which are highlighted in the video above. Hopefully we’re not spoiling the ending by telling you that roundabouts offer engineers an efficient and safer option for building intersections…

“The traffic specialists throughout the country and engineers are looking for a better mousetrap in terms of intersections,” says ADOT Senior Deputy State Engineer Steve Boschen above. “Modern roundabouts are really one of the great tools we have to reduce serious injuries and fatalities at intersections.”

After you view today’s video on why we build them, you can check out some additional roundabout resources, including this video on how drivers can safely maneuver a modern roundabout. We also hope you’ll visit our roundabouts page for even more information and the answers to some frequently asked questions.

US 95 San Luis street improvements completed

US 95 San Luis street improvements completed

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US 95 San Luis street improvements completed

US 95 San Luis street improvements completed

June 24, 2015

The $11 million project is designed to ease traffic congestion, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses.

By Dustin Krugel
ADOT Office of Public Information

As the second-busiest border crossing in Arizona, the San Luis Port of Entry has experienced growing traffic congestion and it’s why the Arizona Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Yuma County and the city of San Luis partnered on a project to provide several improvements in the downtown San Luis area to improve traffic circulation, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses.

Following eight months of construction, ADOT completed the $11 million project on budget and on time after crews applied the final lane striping on US 95 (Main Street) last week and lifted all traffic restrictions.

The project, which started last fall, included rerouting San Luis Port of Entry traffic away from the busy business district, which has significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and moved port of entry traffic to two local roads that were converted to one-way streets in an effort to relieve some of the traffic congestion and enhance safety.

Now northbound traffic from the San Luis Port of Entry is diverted to First Street and southbound port of entry traffic uses Archibald Street.

“More than six million people travel annually through the San Luis Port of Entry,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “With continuing growth across the international border in San Luis, Sonora, Mexico, it’s become a priority to ensure the safety of the thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists who access the downtown business district in San Luis every day.”

By rerouting vehicle traffic from the San Luis Port of Entry away from Main Street, access to businesses located along Main Street was improved to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition, it allowed for additional parking and benches, and new pavement, pavement striping and landscaping, which was partially funded through a Transportation Enhancement grant the city of San Luis received in 2009.

Two roundabouts were also built to facilitate traffic, including one at the intersection of US 95 (Main Street) and D Street, and a second, smaller one at Urtuzuastegui Street and US 95 (Main Street).

ADOT also installed the first pedestrian-activated signalized crosswalk in Yuma County, located at the intersection of US 95 (Main Street) and Urtuzuastegui Street. This special type of traffic light, known as the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, is a system of indicator lights and signs that controls vehicle traffic to assist pedestrians in safely crossing a major street or highway at a marked crosswalk that does not have a standard traffic signal.

ADOT also worked with the Yuma County Flood Control District to install a new stormwater drainage system within the downtown area, at the same time the street enhancements were under construction.

In addition, the city of San Luis plans to remove and replace the pavement on B and C Streets between Main Street and Archibald Street at a later date to complement the recently completed improvements.

“The San Luis City Council would like to thank the community for their on-going support during the Main Street Improvement Project,” said city of San Luis Mayor Gerardo Sanchez. “We would also like to thank ADOT, Federal Highway Administration and Yuma County for working with the City of San Luis with this project. We are pleased with the improvements and beautification throughout the city’s downtown area.”

Improvements to US 89 and Haul Road intersection have begun

Improvements to US 89 and Haul Road intersection have begun

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Improvements to US 89 and Haul Road intersection have begun

Improvements to US 89 and Haul Road intersection have begun

April 20, 2015

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has started on the reconstruction of the intersection of US 89 and Haul Road in Page to alleviate traffic congestion near the Walmart Supercenter.

Work will include constructing a large, two-lane roundabout that will allow oversized vehicles, including house boats, to safely pass through the intersection. A traditional signalized intersection would not allow for safe passage for oversized vehicles, which is common to the Lake Powell/Page region, because the signals would hang too low and would limit the size and height of tall and oversized vehicles/house boats traveling through the intersection.

Additional improvements will include a raised median, new sidewalks and ramps, new street lighting, signage and lane striping, and improved drainage.

“Building a roundabout at this intersection is the best solution to enhance safety and operational characteristics of the existing intersection,” said ADOT Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick. “The roundabout design will accommodate the larger oversized vehicles hauling house boats to the Lake Powell area, which is critical.”

In an effort to expedite the project and improve safety at the US 89 intersection at milepost 547, ADOT committed additional funding to move the project forward by including it in the state’s 2015-2019 Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program.

The $2.3 million improvement project in Coconino County will include partial funding from Walmart, which agreed to construct a roundabout or other traffic control mitigation measure prior to its opening in 2006.  

Initial work will not affect mainline US 89 traffic and will be limited to drainage features and access roads near businesses in the area.

Once construction starts on the roundabout, one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open and access to businesses will be maintained via frontage road detours to minimize conflicts.

The project is expected to take up to eight months to complete.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

How to maneuver a modern roundabout

How to maneuver a modern roundabout

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How to maneuver a modern roundabout

How to maneuver a modern roundabout

April 10, 2015

Driving a modern roundabout doesn’t have to be confusing…

In fact, if you understand how a roundabout works for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, your travel through these intersections will be easier and safer. Watch our newest video to learn some of the basics and then head over to our roundabout page for even more information, including answers to a variety of FAQs.

Be sure to stay tuned. We have another video coming soon that will explain why ADOT uses modern roundabouts, along with the safety benefits these intersections can offer.