By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

As the summer travel season kicks off, ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov has added to the camera views that help motorists get a look at the latest conditions along state highways.

These two new cameras, mounted on message boards, are located at:

• Interstate 8 west of Interstate 10 near milepost 174. This east-facing camera in Pinal County offers a view of the Casa Grande Mountains.
• Interstate 15 in Littlefield near milepost 8. This Mohave County camera faces south and provides a view of both open fields and mountain crests.

Before leaving home, travelers can use az511.gov or call 511 to get the latest conditions and any projects and restrictions on their route. The many traffic and weather camera views available there are a part of its value to drivers.

ADOT uses these same cameras to monitor conditions and alert motorists to conditions via highway signs, Twitter and Facebook in addition to az511.gov and 511.

Learn more about our traffic cameras from our Transportation Defined blog series. To see the latest cameras images, visit az511.gov and make sure “Cameras” is clicked in the upper right corner.

Besides traffic, ADOT cameras across the state capture amazing weather photos. From thunderstorms to snowstorms to dust storms, Arizona has seen it all. Tell us which cameras shots were the best! Swipe right if you like a photo and left if you don't.

You can find our cameras on az511.gov. Make sure you have "Cameras" check-marked in the top right corner.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Since 1992, ADOT's Traffic Operations Center has served as a critical communication hub, allowing operators to quickly dispatch crews to help at crash scenes, coordinate with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, address problems with traffic signals, fix potholes and more.

But this month we're marking an important fifth anniversary for the Traffic Operations Center. It was September 2012 when we completed a $2.1 makeover that created the state-of-the-art facility you see today, complete with its signature wall where we can display up to 40 images from traffic cameras.

These screens have provided traffic operators and others with views of an overturned watermelon truck, a dog stranded on the median wall of a freeway and Archie Bunker's chair. Most of all, they've helped those staffing the Traffic Operations Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week communicate critical information about conditions.

The renovation, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, upgraded work stations along with the monitoring technology. The photo at right shows what the center looked like before the upgrade.

When the new TOC debuted, ADOT placed public information officers there to communicate with the public about conditions, restrictions and more via social media. These public information officers conduct interviews out of the Traffic Operations Center and answer your questions on Twitter and Facebook.

In addition, Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers are stationed inside the Traffic Operations Center in partnership with ADOT, the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Federal Highway Administration. These troopers assist in clearing freeway crashes faster to protect lives and property while reducing delays.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

It was a short work week for most, but at ADOT we’re working 24/7 to keep drivers moving across the state. In our Friday Five, we’ll show you what we’ve been up to this week. Remember to follow the #FridayFive hashtag on social media to see what others are sharing today.

1. The Yuma area’s first modern roundabout opened to traffic at Giss Parkway and Interstate 8! Check out the photo above showing the roundabout. The final touches are still being put on the $2.5 million project and the work is expected to be completed this fall. Modern roundabouts have many benefits including a dramatic reduction in fatal crashes and a marked increase in traffic capacity. This ADOT video has tips on navigating a roundabout.

2. East Valley drivers and Maricopa residents can get a good look at their commutes from new traffic camera views recently added to az511.gov. Cameras at nine intersections along SR 347 are now online. On the Loop 202 Santan Freeway, the new camera views are between Chandler and Gilbert. ADOT maintains more than 300 traffic cameras across the state and is constantly adding more and upgrading old cameras to high-definition cameras.

3. The photos above show crews paving I-40 west of Flagstaff between Parks and Riordan. Drivers should expect delays because the road is down to one lane in each direction. The good news is base paving should be complete before winter, with the final surface paving done by spring 2018.

4. We shared this webcam photo from the Hualapai Valley Observatory on Monday. You may have heard we're always looking for good webcams. Not only can you see cool shots from the comfort of your home, but you can get a good idea of weather conditions before you leave the house. The Hualapai Valley Observatory is a private dark sky site for astronomical observations and has several online webcams.

Bell/Grand

5. Last, but definitely not least, is a notable closure. The Bell Road/Grand Avenue ramps will be closed to all traffic Sept. 18-24 for roadway improvements. The ramps will close from 1 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. Motorists may use detour routes along Dysart and Litchfield roads.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications 

We can tell you about traffic, but there's nothing like being able to see it for yourself. The good news is ADOT has traffic cameras stationed all across the state to give you a look at traffic and weather conditions before you head out the door.

The list of camera views available via az511.gov continues to grow with two major additions.

Maricopa residents and those traveling through Maricopa now can view nine high-definition cameras placed along major intersections on State Route 347 from Riggs Road to Farrell Road.

Those traveling the Loop 202 Santan Freeway in the southeast Valley can also get a view of their route online. Cameras from Loop 101 Price Freeway to Ray Road can be accessed on AZ511.gov.

Drivers have told us through social media they’re checking the cameras.

is that a new HD camera? Looks slick.

— Thomas (@th3_accountant) September 3, 2016

You got it!

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 21, 2017

ADOT has more than 300 cameras stationed across the state that are viewable online. Besides showing road conditions, traffic cameras are used to quickly spot crashes, allowing first responders to better locate traffic incidents and allocate appropriate resources. This helps reduce secondary crashes and improves traffic congestion. All of this makes our highways safer.

Before you grab your keys and head out the door, make sure you’ve scouted your route out on az511.gov!

By Peter Corbett / ADOT Communications

The many cameras available via our Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov aren’t the only way to see how weather may affect trips on state highways.

Those of us communicating from the Traffic Operations Center often engage non-ADOT cameras across the state to check weather conditions – or maybe just see places we’d rather be when triple-digit temperatures hit. Webcams located at Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Jerome and Lake Havasu City help us inform travelers via ADOT’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

At FlagstaffArizona.org, the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau has a very good HD camera atop the train depot. It beams images of the San Francisco Peaks, Leroux Street, Route 66 and the train yard and even transmits ambient sound of trains rumbling past and howling winds.

In July, we caught glimpses of an Independence Day parade downtown, and this past winter we watched a raptor swoop down toward the snowy Amtrak platform. When snow falls, the camera captures street scenes suitable for a Currier and Ives lithograph.

The webcam, operating since June 2015, is a favorite for in-state, u.s. and international tourists interested in Flagstaff, said Lori Pappas, a spokeswoman for the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“It’s a good tool for people,” she said. “now that we’re on the cusp of fall, they can check on opportunities for coming north to see the leaves changing colors.”

The webcam also reminds desert dwellers to be prepared for Flagstaff weather rather than showing up in shorts and flip-flops in December, Pappas added.

the site has links to webcams for northern Arizona University, the National Weather Service, Arizona Snowbowl, ADOT and Grand Canyon National Park.

The National Park Service has long had a fixed camera at Yavapai Point overlooking Grand Canyon. This year, it added a camera at the South Rim entrance gate on State Route 64, which shows when traffic is backed up entering the park. one recent morning, there were no cars at the gate, but the camera captured an elk seemingly waiting to get in the park.

In western Arizona, the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau’s golakehavasu.com installed an HD camera aimed at the London Bridge. it pans across the channel as boaters, paddle boarders and kayakers float across the water and under the bridge. imagine looking at those scenes from snowy climes in March.

Another favorite webcam is operated by KZRJ-FM, kzrjlivecam.com, in Jerome. The station’s HD camera scans across historic homes and buildings on Cleopatra Hill, shows vehicles traveling along State Route 89A and swings around to show the Verde Valley and even the distant San Francisco Peaks. Jerome is always photogenic, but the town is in its Sunday best in snowstorms or fog.

It’s easy to sit on your sofa and take a virtual trip via these cameras, but sometimes the views inspire us to hit the road for real because the remote images are so compelling.

By Dave Woodfill and Garin Groff / ADOT Communications

Just in time for more winter weather this weekend, our Arizona Traveler Information site has expanded your view of highways and conditions with nine new cameras around the state.

Joining the many traffic and weather cameras available at az511.gov, these views help ADOT and commuters using their desktop computers and laptops get real-time information on road conditions. And let’s face it – it’s just fun to check out those Arizona sunrises and sunsets.

Five cameras in northern Arizona are on Interstate 40 near Ash Fork, near Butler Avenue in Flagstaff and at the Sanders Port of Entry near New Mexico; at State Route 89A and Milton Road in Flagstaff; and along SR 260 near Show Low. Cameras in the central and southern portions of the state are on US 60 south of Wickenburg; on Interstate 10 near Sacaton and Picacho Peak; and along State Route 90 in Whetstone.

Views from some of these cameras are below.

Next time you’re heading out on a trip, trying to beat the traffic or just looking for a great view, visit to az511.gov and see what camera views are available along your route.

Traffic Camera: US 60 eastbound at milepost 119 south of Wickenburg.

Traffic Camera: SR 89A and Milton Road in Flagstaff.

Traffic Camera: SR 260 milepost 335 in Show Low.

Traffic Camera: Sanders Port of Entry, I-40 milepost 340.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

What was once the little rural community of Maricopa is now a growing city of nearly 50,000. Along with expansion, the town of Maricopa has experienced some big city problems, including traffic congestion.

As traffic has increased on State Route 347, the main road in and out of the Maricopa, so has the number of complaints about the traffic signals malfunctioning on SR 347. In an effort to ensure ADOT signals are working properly, a wireless communication system has been installed at every intersection along SR 347. Antennas, video cameras and heat detecting cameras allow ADOT traffic signal technicians to remotely monitor traffic and the traffic signals.

While there will still be heavy traffic at times and backups because of crashes, the new remote traffic signal monitoring system is another way ADOT is using technology to continuously improve.

The wireless communication system isn’t the only improvement planned for SR 347. A bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is also in the works.

By Steve Elliott / ADOT Communications

Your view of traffic is even more current these days via ADOT's freeway cameras in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

ADOT has changed how frequently these camera images refresh on az511.gov from every 10 seconds to every five seconds. The views above, from our cameras along eastbound Interstate 10 at Wild Horse Pass, show how the view changes every five seconds.

When you call up a Phoenix- or Tucson-area traffic camera at az511.gov, a note at the bottom now tells you that the image updates every five seconds for three minutes. Our goal is giving you a view that's as close to real-time as possible.

It's one more way that we're continuously improving the value of az511.gov. In September, we highlighted the addition of camera images along I-10 west of Loop 101 and I-17 north to Anthem, along with new high-definition cameras in the I-10 Deck Park Tunnel. In May, az511.gov began offering a view from cameras in the farthest reaches of the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway in the East Valley.

These cameras provide ADOT traffic operators and Arizona State Troopers with current views of traffic conditions and traffic incidents in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. They aren't used to enforce traffic laws, and ADOT doesn't record from them.

Traffic cameras are there for the public as well, and we hope you will make use of them as you plan your freeway travel.

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

If you’re a regular visitor to az511.gov, you may have noticed some new additions! We’ve added cameras in the Phoenix area so drivers can get a better idea of road conditions before they hit the highways.

For the past couple of months, ADOT traffic operators have been testing the new cameras. The cameras are now out of the testing phase and available for everyone to see.

Along Interstate 17 in north Phoenix, from Loop 101 to Anthem, 14 new cameras have been added. To view the cameras, head to az511.gov and make sure “Cameras” is check-marked in the upper right corner.

West Valley drivers will appreciate the new views of Interstate 10. Motorists can now check their commute from 83rd Avenue to Bullard Avenue.

Eight outdated cameras through the Deck Park Tunnel have been replaced with new high definition cameras providing a clearer picture of traffic.

Traffic cameras are used by the Traffic Operations Center to get a better view of crashes, helping to increase response time and clear the roads faster.