PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Jenn Daniels, the mayor of Gilbert, and Richard Searle, a longtime Cochise County leader from the community of Pearce, to serve on the State Transportation Board.

Upon confirmation by the state Senate, Daniels will represent the Maricopa County region, while Searle will represent Cochise, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties.

The State Transportation Board’s seven members serve six-year-terms, prioritizing transportation needs, projects and funding on behalf of communities throughout Arizona.

Daniels has served as the mayor of Gilbert since 2016 and has been on the Town Council since 2009. She has served on regional boards including the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council and was chair of MAG’s Transportation Policy Committee. Daniels has also served on the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and League of Cities and Towns Executive Committee.

“Solutions to today’s transportation challenges will require creative and forward-thinking ideas and plans, advocates, collaboration and a commitment to future generations,” Daniels said. “I am committed to keeping fiscal responsibility and integrity at the forefront of everything we do.”

Searle has been engaged in transportation issues through his service on the Cochise County Board of Supervisors from 2005-2016. He represented the county in transportation planning roles at the city, county and state level. He also developed transportation policies for Cochise County to improve road maintenance. He has been a member of various organizations including the Arizona Cattle Growers Association, American Pistachio Growers Association, Western Bank and the Cochise County Farm Bureau.

“I appreciate the opportunity to represent Southeastern Arizona on the Transportation Board and am honored by the appointment,” Searle said. “Priorities would include not only making sure transportation issues in Cochise, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz Counties are addressed but also helping ADOT deal timely and efficiently with the challenges statewide. I look forward to learning how I can be a part of making long-lasting changes that improve how we handle transportation in Arizona.”

About the State Transportation Board

The seven-member State Transportation Board has policy powers and duties, in addition to advising the director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. Members of the board are appointed by the governor and serve six-year terms. The board has broad authority to plan and develop Arizona’s highways, airports and other state transportation facilities. In addition to these general policy duties, the board is responsible for development and oversight of the state’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. More information on the State Transportation Board is available at aztransportationboard.gov

PHOENIX – A major freight corridor in southern Arizona that moves trucks to and from Mexico for produce and other goods will undergo a full build-out of improvements over the next few years now that the State Transportation Board formally approved the funding for the project.

The board approved the two planned construction phases for State Route 189 at its meeting in Globe on Friday, June 15. Other major expansion projects along key commerce corridors including Interstate 17 and US 93, along with State Route 260, were also approved as part of the annual update to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program.

The 2019-2023 Five-Year Program includes projects in Greater Arizona and the Maricopa County and Pima County regions. Today’s final approval of the program followed a three-month comment period allowing the public and agencies to provide feedback.

“ADOT’s mission is to provide reliable infrastructure to help move people, goods and services, generate commerce and economic activity, and connect major freight and travel corridors,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “This annual process of delivering key projects is a careful balance between assessing priorities and working within our funding constraints.”

The 2019-2023 Five-Year 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.

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

The State Transportation Board’s approval of the Five-Year Program followed a call for public comment in March and three public hearings in Sahuarita, Flagstaff and Phoenix. In general, major projects begin as part of the agency’s long-range visioning process, move into a 20-year plan and a six- to 10-year development program and then become part of the Five-Year Program, which is developed by working closely with local planning organizations and community leaders to identify projects that are ready to build or design.

Funding for the Five-Year Program is generated by the users of transportation services, primarily through gasoline and diesel fuel taxes and the vehicle license tax. Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales tax increases that allow for more expansion projects to take place.

The following is a list of major projects for Greater Arizona, the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) region and the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) region during the next five years. This list provides an overview and does not include all projects in the program. The 2019-2023 Five-Year Program, once published next week, can be found at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.  

Greater Arizona

• State Route 189, Nogales to Interstate 19: Total cost is $134 million allocated in fiscal year 2019 for both phases of this design-build project. ADOT is moving forward with these improvements along SR 189 to ensure international commerce can efficiently and safely travel between Arizona and Mexico at the Mariposa Port of Entry, one of the busiest land ports in the United States.

• Interstate 17: Anthem to the Sunset Point Rest Area: This project allows for the design and widening of I-17 in areas between Anthem and Sunset Point, with specific areas and projects still under study.

• $15 million (ADOT) and $10 million (Maricopa Association of Governments) for design in FY 2019
• $168 million for widening in FY 2021 and FY 2022 (this includes $128 million from ADOT and $40 million from MAG)

• US 93: “The Gap” Tegner Drive to State Route 89: This project will widen a 3-mile stretch of US 93 near Wickenburg to a four-lane divided highway.

• $5 million for right of way in FY 2019
• $41 million for construction in FY 2020

• ADOT and city of Flagstaff partnership project: $10.2 million allocated in FY 2020 to expand the Fourth Street Bridge over Interstate 40 in Flagstaff.

• US 93/Interstate 40: West Kingman traffic interchange: $10 million allocated for right of way in FY 2020 for this new traffic interchange in downtown Kingman. Construction is expected to begin in FY 2024 and is projected to cost $55 million. ($5 million was allocated for design in FY 2018)
•  
• State Route 69: Prescott Lakes Parkway to Frontier Village: This partnership project with ADOT and the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization will widen a 1-mile stretch of SR 69 to three lanes in each direction and add safety improvements.

• $1.3 million for right of way and utilities in FY 2020
• $8.7 million for construction in FY 2021

• State Route 260: Lion Springs section: This project will widen the last section of SR 260 near Star Valley, reaching ADOT’s goal of completing a four-lane divided highway along the entire length of the corridor.

• $5 million for design in FY 2021.
• $45 million for construction in FY 2023

• US 93: Cane Springs section: This project will widen a 3-mile stretch of US 93 north of Wikieup and is part of ADOT’s commitment to transform all of US 93 into a modern, four-lane divided highway.

• $5 million for design in FY 2021
• $35 million for construction in FY 2023

• US 93: Big Jim Wash section: This project will widen a 5-mile stretch of US 93 north of Wickenburg and is part of ADOT’s commitment to transform all of US 93 into a modern, four-lane divided highway.

• $5 million for design in FY 2023
• $33 million for construction in FY 2025

Pima County region

• Interstate 10: Ina Road to Ruthrauff Road: $109 million allocated from FY 2020 to FY 2022 to widen the freeway between Ina and Ruthrauff roads.

• Interstate 10: Ruthrauff Road traffic interchange: $102 million allocated from FY 2019 to FY 2021 for this reconstruction project.

• Interstate 10: Houghton Road traffic interchange: $46 million allocated from FY 2019 to FY 2021 for this construction project.

• Interstate 19: Ajo Way traffic interchange: $36 million is allocated in FY 2019 for the second phase of this reconstruction project.

Maricopa County region

Many major projects continue to move forward in the Maricopa County region as part of ADOT’s five-year programming process and the recent update to the Maricopa Association of Governments’ 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. This plan includes updated project costs as part of the rebalancing process. Some of the region’s major expansion projects over the next five years are noted below. The complete list of projects can be found in the 2019-2023 Five-Year Program located at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.

• Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway: The 22-mile freeway, which is currently under construction, 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.

• Interstate 10 (Maricopa Freeway): I-17 Split to the Loop 202 Santan Freeway in Chandler: This project will widen the mainline and includes improvements at the Broadway Curve to help traffic flow more efficiently.

• State Route 30 Study: Loop 303 to Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway: Phase One for construction of a proposed new freeway, once a decision is made by the Federal Highway Administration after the environmental study process is complete.

• Loop 101 Pima Freeway: Interstate 17 to Pima Road/Princess Drive: Construction of a general purpose lane in each direction, along with modifying freeway ramps and frontage road connections at 10 interchanges.

• Loop 101 Pima Freeway: Pima Road/Princess Drive to Shea Boulevard: Construction of a general purpose lane in each direction, widening of four overpass structures and other improvements.

• Loop 101 Price Freeway: US 60 to Loop 202 Santan Freeway: Construction of a general purpose lane in each direction and other improvements.

• Interstate 10: State Route 85 to Verrado Way: Construction of a general purpose lane in each direction along this 8-mile stretch, along with bridge reconstruction at the Miller Road and Watson Road traffic interchanges.

• Loop 303 Study: Interstate 10 to the proposed State Route 30: Construction of a new freeway, new bridges and other improvements, once the environmental study process is complete and a final decision is made by the Federal Highway Administration.

PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Gary Knight, a Yuma City Council member who has served on that metropolitan area’s transportation-planning organization, to join the Arizona State Transportation Board.

Knight, who in January began a second four-year term on the City Council and currently is Yuma’s deputy mayor, will serve on the seven-member panel upon confirmation by the state Senate.

State Transportation Board members prioritize transportation needs, projects and funding on behalf of communities throughout Arizona. Each member serves a six-year term.

Knight will represent District 6, which includes Yuma, La Paz, Yavapai and Mohave counties. He will succeed Deanna Beaver, who completed her term and was the board’s chairwoman during her last year.

“Transportation infrastructure is vital to economic development in the state and is of particular importance in the rural, less-populated counties,” Knight said. “I look forward to working with ADOT and the rest of the Transportation Board members to improve transportation infrastructure throughout District 6 and the state.”

A Yuma native and Navy veteran who owned a boat dealership before retiring, Knight served for four years as a member of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Board, including one year as chairman and two years representing the organization to the Arizona State Transportation Board and the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council. 

Knight also has served on the board of the Greater Yuma Port Authority and represented Yuma on the transportation and legislative affairs committees of the local Chamber of Commerce.

___

About the State Transportation Board

The seven-member State Transportation Board has policy powers and duties, in addition to advising the director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. Board members, who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, serve six-year terms. The board has broad authority to plan and develop Arizona’s highways, airports and other state transportation facilities. In addition to these general policy duties, the board is responsible for development and oversight of the state’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. More information on the State Transportation Board is available at aztransportationboard.gov.

PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Sam Elters, a transportation engineer with more than 30 years of experience in planning, design, construction and operations, to serve on the Arizona State Transportation Board.

Elters, who is senior vice president and national director of transportation for Matrix Design Group Inc. of Phoenix, will serve on the seven-member panel upon confirmation by the state Senate. He will succeed Joseph E. LaRue, who served one year as the board’s chairman.

State Transportation Board members prioritize transportation needs, projects and funding on behalf of communities throughout Arizona. Each serves a six-year term.

Elters’ transportation experience spans the public and private sectors and includes serving as the Arizona Department of Transportation’s state engineer from 2005 to 2008. He also has served as a chief engineer for the Transportation Corridor Agencies providing toll roads in Orange County, California.

Elters has been in Arizona since 1981 and has been a resident of Maricopa County since 2005.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the State Transportation Board,” Elters said. “I look forward to collaborating and working with the other board members and the Arizona Department of Transportation to promote and advance transportation solutions that will energize Arizona’s economy and enhance our quality of life.”

Meanwhile, William F. Cuthbertson, a Freeport McMoRan civil engineer who is from Greenlee County’s York Valley near Duncan, has been named chairman of the State Transportation Board.

___

About the State Transportation Board

The seven-member State Transportation Board has policy powers and duties, in addition to advising the director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. Board members, who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, serve six-year terms. The board has broad authority to plan and develop Arizona’s highways, airports and other state transportation facilities. In addition to these general policy duties, the board is responsible for development and oversight of the state’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. More information on the State Transportation Board is available at aztransportationboard.gov.

PHOENIX – Construction of a first-in-the-nation system to detect wrong-way vehicles and alert law enforcement and other drivers is scheduled to begin in early August following State Transportation Board approval of the contract for installation.

At the direction of Governor Doug Ducey, the Arizona Department of Transportation has accelerated the start of construction on the $3.7 million pilot project along 15 miles of Interstate 17 in Phoenix. That includes pre-ordering materials, including thermal cameras that will detect wrong-way vehicles as well as poles and fiber-optic cable, rather than waiting for a contractor to secure those items.

On Friday, the State Transportation Board conditionally approved a $1.89 million bid from Contractors West Inc. of Mesa to install the system. 

Construction is scheduled to begin in early August, a month sooner than earlier project estimates. Installation and testing are expected to be completed by early next year.

The system will use thermal cameras to detect a wrong-way vehicle along an off-ramp, triggering an illuminated wrong-way sign with flashing lights aimed at getting the attention of the driver. The system will immediately alert the Arizona Department of Public Safety and ADOT while warning other freeway drivers in the area through overhead message boards. On the freeway, additional thermal cameras placed at one-mile intervals will signal when a wrong-way vehicle passes to help State Troopers plan their response.

While ADOT and the DPS react quickly to reports of wrong-way drivers, the response right now usually begins with 911 calls from other motorists.

The I-17 pilot system will speed notification, but it can’t prevent wrong-way driving, which in most cases involves impaired drivers. ADOT and partner agencies, including DPS and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, continue to study other potential responses to reduce the risk from wrong-way driving.