PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has released the final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Design Concept Report for the planned project to reconstruct the Grand Avenue (US 60) intersection with 35th Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix. Completion of the EA, which resulted in a finding of No Significant Impact, allows the project to advance into final design and right-of-way acquisition.

Project plans include raising 35th Avenue to create a new elevated intersection with Indian School Road above Grand Avenue and the BNSF Railway tracks to improve traffic flow and safety. This will allow Grand Avenue traffic to flow freely at this location without any cross traffic, and eliminate 35th Avenue and Indian School Rd traffic crossings with the railroad. 

ADOT will design and build the project in coordination with the city of Phoenix and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the metropolitan planning organization for the greater Phoenix region. The project is identified in MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan and is funded in part by Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. 

For more information about the project and to review study documents visit the project website at azdot.gov/Grand-35.

PHOENIX – If you have travel plans along Grand Avenue (US 60) in the Surprise area this weekend (May 4-5), be sure to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes while pavement sealing work is taking place. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation is doing the work to extend the lifespan of the existing US 60 asphalt pavement in the area west of Loop 303.

The following US 60 restrictions are scheduled:

• Grand Avenue narrowed to one lane in both directions between 163rd Avenue (west of Loop 303) and Center Street (Wittmann area) from 11 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday (May 4) and from 11 p.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday (May 5) for pavement sealing work. The Deer Valley Road connection to US 60 will be closed. Temporary closures of other cross streets will be needed for work at intersections. Detours: Westbound US 60 drivers can use northbound Loop 303 to northbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and westbound State Route 74. Eastbound US 60 drivers (from Wickenburg) can consider using eastbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and southbound Loop 303 to reach Grand Avenue (US 60). Local drivers near 163rd Avenue can consider alternate routes including eastbound Happy Valley Road to access Loop 303/Happy Valley Parkway.

Similar restrictions are scheduled the weekend of May 11-12 along US 60 between Center Street in Wittmann and SR 74.
Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov and via the AZ511 app (download free for Apple and Android devices). ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its X/Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. 

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Wednesday evening, Oct. 25, on proposed improvements for the Grand Avenue (US 60) intersection with 35th Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix.

The hearing will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn more and comment on the engineering and environmental study that has developed a preferred alternative for improvements at the intersection. It includes creating a new elevated 35th Avenue/Indian School Road intersection that would travel over Grand Avenue.

The Grand-35 Study hearing is scheduled as follows:

• When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25
• Where: Heard Elementary School, 2301 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix

A formal presentation about the study is scheduled at 6 p.m. Those attending can view displays and speak with study team members before and after the presentation. A formal public comment period is scheduled between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

The preferred alternative includes raising 35th Avenue to create a new elevated intersection with Indian School Road above Grand Avenue; shifting 35th Avenue to the west; shifting Indian School Road to the north; constructing new bridges to carry 35th Avenue and Indian School Road over the BNSF railroad tracks and Grand Avenue; and keeping Grand Avenue at ground level while removing the current intersection with 35th Avenue. A “no-build” alternative also was evaluated as part of ADOT’s study.

For those who are unable to attend the hearing in person, comments also will be accepted through Nov. 27, including online at adotgrand35study.com, via email at [email protected], by phone at 602.474.3952 or by mail at ADOT Grand 35 Study c/o HDR, Inc. 20 E. Thomas Rd., Suite 2500 Phoenix, AZ 85012. 

The Draft EA and DCR for the study can be reviewed at the following repository locations and on the study website, under the resources tab.

• Yucca Library, 5648 N 15th Ave., Phoenix
• Palo Verde Library, 4404 N 51st Ave., Phoenix

ADOT is conducting the Grand-35 Study in coordination with the city of Phoenix and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). The Grand Avenue project is identified in MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan and is funded in part by Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. If given final approval, construction of any Grand-35 improvements is currently scheduled to start in 2025.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will host a public meeting as part of  an ongoing study of proposed improvements to the Grand Avenue intersection with 35th Avenue and Indian School Road (known as the Grand-35 Study). The meeting is scheduled on Tuesday evening (Jan. 31), at Alhambra High School in Phoenix.

The meeting will review two options for building new bridges to carry 35th Avenue and Indian School Road traffic over Grand Avenue (US 60) and the nearby BNSF Railway tracks. The alternatives are being recommended as a way to improve the movement of traffic in the area.

The Grand-35 Study meeting is scheduled as follows:

• When: Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Where: Alhambra High School, 3839 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix 
• Who: Staff from ADOT and the Grand-35 Study team will provide information

During the meeting, two identical presentations about the study and the potential improvement options will be conducted at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Those attending also will be able to provide comments for the study team.

ADOT is conducting the study in coordination with the city of Phoenix and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). The Grand Avenue project is identified in MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan and is funded in part by Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004. If approved, construction of any potential Grand-35 improvements is currently scheduled to start in 2025.

People who are not able to attend Tuesday’s meeting in person also will be able to provide comments through Feb. 21 by completing an online survey on the Grand-35 Study site. Additional options for providing comments, including by phone or email, can be found on the study’s site.