PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is completing a project to install hundreds of new, more visible wrong way signs along Phoenix-area freeways as part of ongoing efforts to get the attention of often-impaired drivers who go the wrong direction on off-ramps or in travel lanes.

Updated, more noticeable wrong way signs are among countermeasures the state is using to reduce the risk of serious crashes caused by wrong-way drivers.

The most recent $2.1 million sign project is a continuation of ADOT’s statewide initiative in recent years to replace older signs with larger and lowered “wrong way” or “do not enter” signs along exit ramps on Valley freeways and other Arizona highways.

As an example, updated red wrong way signs on posts along off-ramps have been increased in size from 30 by 24 inches to 48 by 36 inches. Over time, the bottom edge of such signs has been lowered to approximately 3 feet above the ground, rather than 7 feet, to have them closer to a wrong-way driver’s line of vision.   

The latest wrong way sign upgrades have included sections of interstates 10 and 17, US 60 (Superstition Freeway), State Route 51, Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) and Loop 202 (Santan Freeway).

In addition to the ground-mounted signs along exit ramps, the current project includes dozens of large wrong way signs installed on bridges or sign structures on the Valley freeway system. These noticeable signs, measuring 5 feet by 8 feet, are above the left lanes of freeways where wrong-way drivers tend to travel

ADOT first installed 26 of these larger signs above the left lanes of I-17 in Phoenix in 2017 in association with the first-in-the-nation thermal-camera wrong-way vehicle alert system being evaluated by the state.

The wrong way signage project in the Phoenix area, paid for with federal highway safety funds, also has added more of the white pavement arrows pointing in the correct direction of travel along many of the freeway exit ramps where the new wrong way sign upgrades have been made.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has received a 2019 National Roadway Safety Award for the wrong-way vehicle alert system being tested on Interstate 17 in Phoenix.

ADOT’s project is one of seven nationally to receive the awards, in which the Federal Highway Administration and Roadway Safety Foundation recognize roadway safety achievements that move the United States toward a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways.

“This award acknowledges a key part of Arizona’s aggressive, coordinated response to reduce the risk of serious crashes caused by wrong-way drivers and make our roads safer,” Governor Doug Ducey said. “In addition to innovative engineering that’s leading the nation, we’ve increased penalties for those who drive the wrong way while impaired and invested in having more state troopers patrolling during nighttime hours, when wrong-way driving occurs most. We have more work to do, and improving safety for all our road users will continue to be a priority.”

This first-in-the-nation, $4 million system installed along 15 miles of I-17 uses thermal cameras to detect and track wrong-way vehicles while also immediately alerting ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. This can save state troopers valuable time in responding to incidents rather than waiting for 911 calls from other motorists, while also allowing ADOT to quickly alert other drivers via overhead message boards.

Since ADOT installed it in early 2018, the I-17 system has detected more than 90 wrong-way drivers, nearly all of whom turned around on off-ramps. 

The system’s 90 thermal cameras are positioned to detect wrong-way vehicles entering off-ramps or traveling along I-17. A detection also triggers an internally illuminated wrong-way sign with flashing red lights aimed at getting the attention of wrong-way drivers.

ADOT is completing an evaluation of the I-17 system to determine which elements should be used on other freeways, including the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

For more information on the award, please visit RoadwaySafety.org.

PHOENIX – Those taking State Route 88 (Apache Trail) between Apache Junction and Tortilla Flat should use caution with some areas at the edge of the roadway coned off while the Arizona Department of Transportation addresses flood damage.

Because those areas narrow the roadway at points, towing trailers isn’t advised along the winding, two-lane stretch between Needle Vista Viewpoint (milepost 204) and Tortilla Flat (milepost 213) that also leads to Canyon Lake. Those who decide to tow trailers should slow down and keep in mind that the coned-off areas at the roadway edge can make negotiating this section more challenging.

Meanwhile, an unpaved stretch of SR 88 between Tortilla Flat and just west of Apache Lake (milepost 228) remains closed indefinitely because of flood damage from hurricane remnants that dumped heavy rain last month. Motorists can access Apache Lake by taking SR 188 from either US 60 or SR 87 and then SR 88 west. High-clearance vehicles are recommended on this unpaved section of SR 88.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has added to the ways drivers see the posted speed limit on a stretch of State Route 347 in the southeast Valley.

The speed limit is now displayed on the highway pavement in large white decals as part of an effort to improve safety along SR 347 between Interstate 10 and Riggs Road.

Testing the speed limit pavement decals is a first for ADOT’s Phoenix-area highways. Standard speed limit signs also are in place adjacent to where the decals have been added.

Traffic engineers recommended the pavement decals for SR 347 in areas where the speed limit drops as drivers approach intersections. Decals now help show the northbound speed limit transitions from 65 mph to 55 mph approaching the Maricopa Road intersection and from 55 mph to 45 mph as drivers approach the I-10/Queen Creek Road interchange.

The pavement decals also are in place along southbound SR 347 approaching the Riggs Road intersection, where the speed limit drops from 65 mph to 55 mph.

ADOT’s review of law enforcement crash reports found that officers cited “speed too fast for conditions” as a driver violation in more than half of crashes along SR 347 between I-10 and Riggs Road.

Speed limit pavement decals also are being tested at one location along SR 160 in northeastern Arizona.

PHOENIX ‒ Keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to slow down with heavy rain possible early next week.

If tropical moisture enters the state, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s safety tips include turning on headlights while driving in threatening weather and, when roads are wet, reducing speed and maintaining a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.

Avoid areas where water is pooling in travel lanes. If your vehicle appears to be hydroplaning, ease your foot off the gas pedal until you regain traction rather than braking suddenly, which can cause a vehicle to skid. Be aware that the tires of larger vehicles can create spray that reduces visibility for those following too closely.

When traveling away from freeways, don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. Just a few inches of running water can carry away a vehicle, even a heavy pickup truck or SUV. Driving around “Road Closed” signs puts your life at risk and could get you cited under the state’s "stupid motorist" law.

Before a storm, it’s always wise to inspect windshield wipers and replace them if necessary.

To stay up to date on highway conditions across Arizona, please visit ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or dial 511. ADOT’s Twitter account, @ArizonaDOT, also has the latest highway conditions. However, never use a cellphone or other mobile device while driving.

PHOENIX – To enhance safety and manage traffic through the bridge improvement project along Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge, the Arizona Department of Transportation is using a first-of-its-kind alert system to help reduce emergency braking and collisions.

With I-15 reduced to one lane in each direction during construction, traffic begins to queue during peak travel times and holidays. A queue warning system that includes portable message boards informs drivers of stop-and-go traffic ahead using equipment that detects traffic in real-time. 

With advance notice, drivers can anticipate heavy traffic, slow down and avoid erratic behavior, helping reduce collisions in the queue.

While this is the first time the system has been used on an ADOT project, going forward the agency intends to use it on projects creating similar traffic conditions.

The $6.4 million bridge improvement project is resurfacing the decks of Bridge No. 2 and Bridge No. 5 in I-15, while Bridge No. 4 is receiving a new deck. 

The project is scheduled to wrap up next spring.

For more information, please visit azdot.gov/projects and click on the North Central District.