US 93

Traffic switch planned Monday for highway improvement project on US 93 near Wikieup

Traffic switch planned Monday for highway improvement project on US 93 near Wikieup

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Traffic switch planned Monday for highway improvement project on US 93 near Wikieup

Traffic switch planned Monday for highway improvement project on US 93 near Wikieup

December 11, 2014

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to make considerable progress on a construction project to widen and improve a three-mile segment of US 93, about 20 miles north of Wikieup. 

On Monday, Dec. 15, crews are scheduled to switch southbound traffic to the newly constructed southbound lane. This work, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed until early Monday morning to allow for equipment repair time. While one travel lane remains open north- and southbound, motorists should continue to be prepared to allow 10 to 15 minutes extra travel time through the Antelope Wash segment (mileposts 101.1 to 104.2).

After the southbound traffic is switched, crews will build connector lanes from the existing northbound lane to the new lanes. ‎‎Once the connectors have been built, crews will remove and reconstruct the future northbound lanes of US-93, located adjacent to the existing US-93 alignment. ADOT is expected to switch the northbound traffic in early January 2015.

The $20 million project includes building new lanes to provide motorists with a four-lane divided highway. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2015.

While most of the work is taking place off the main roadway, ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel. Flagging stations will be in place to accommodate construction trucks hauling materials.

The current construction schedule is Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional delays may occur on weekends due to heavier traffic volumes and special events.

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 511.

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 511.

Roundabout work on US 93 in Wickenburg begins May 5

Roundabout work on US 93 in Wickenburg begins May 5

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Roundabout work on US 93 in Wickenburg begins May 5

Roundabout work on US 93 in Wickenburg begins May 5

April 29, 2013

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation will mill the concrete surface at the roundabouts in Wickenburg on US 93 starting the night of Sunday, May 5 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work will begin on the south roundabout first and then crews will proceed to the north roundabout. One lane will be restricted in each direction and delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.

Once the concrete work is completed on Sunday night, crews will begin to restripe the roadway at the roundabouts starting Monday, May 6 and continue through Wednesday, May 8 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Northbound US 93 traffic will be directed to use the north roundabout to Tegner Street for access into Wickenburg. Southbound US 93 traffic will be directed through the work zone with flaggers, onto Tegner Street to southbound US 60.

Restrictions for wide loads (maximum 10 feet wide) and a 75-foot length restriction will be in place until the work is completed.

Clearly marked detour signage will be in place to direct traffic around the work zone. ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

For more information, email [email protected] or call the ADOT project hotline at 1.855.712.8530. Visit facebook or our website for more information about ADOT. For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona see the agency's latest blog posts.

US 93 to Hoover Dam project earns top transportation award

US 93 to Hoover Dam project earns top transportation award

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US 93 to Hoover Dam project earns top transportation award

US 93 to Hoover Dam project earns top transportation award

July 10, 2012

A look at the wildlife crossing in action. (Photo courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department)

We just got some really exciting news about the US 93 project (you remember, it’s the one that improved about 15 miles of roadway south of the Hoover Dam – we wrote about it here and here

It was announced yesterday that the project won a regional award in the 2012 America’s Transportation Awards competition – more specifically, the project was selected as the winner in the “Best Use of Innovation, Medium Project” category!

The America’s Transportation Awards competition is sponsored by AASHTO, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It was created in 2008 to recognize outstanding transportation projects accomplished each year by state Departments of Transportation.

Besides “Best Use of Innovation” other categories include “Ahead of Schedule” and “Under Budget.” All the categories are divided by size, depending on the cost of the project.

Arizona’s award was announced during the annual Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) conference. California, Nevada, Colorado, Washington and Texas also were recognized with awards.

Some background on the project
ADOT and its project team – including Federal Highway Administration, Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, AMEC Environment and Infrastructure, Bureau of Reclamation and FNF Construction – recognized a critical need for creative innovation during early design work preparing for the highway widening of the last segment from Interstate 40 in Kingman to the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge.

Collectively, they decided the best solution was to construct new overpasses that protected the safety of motorists and provided a passage for the desert bighorn sheep.

“ADOT and its partnering agencies worked together to achieve a common goal, which was to build a safe, modern four-lane highway for motorists, that also accounted for the unique challenges presented by the state’s geography and wildlife that make that area their home,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski.

In late 2010, ADOT completed construction of the $71.3 million project, which widened the existing roadway section from two lanes to four. Other significant highway improvements included a new trailhead, scenic overlooks and three wildlife crossings, which not only provide a crossing for the native desert bighorn sheep, but also protection for motorists.

ADOT has dedicated nearly half a billion dollars since 1998 to widen and improve US 93 from Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam. The long-term vision is to transform this route into a four-lane divided highway through its entire 200-mile stretch.

US 93 improvements continue

US 93 improvements continue

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US 93 improvements continue

US 93 improvements continue

June 1, 2012

If you’ve ever driven between Arizona and Las Vegas, you’re probably pretty familiar with US 93. It’s the stretch of road traveled by countless motorists each day and it is in the midst of a major update.

A little bit of an overview
ADOT has dedicated nearly half a billion dollars since 1998 to widening and improving US 93 all the way from Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam. The long-term vision is to transform this route into a four-lane divided highway through its entire 200-mile stretch.

To turn this vision into reality, it was necessary to split the entire project into a series of smaller projects, including the one we’re blogging about today.

Milepost 2 to 17
This portion of US 93 comprises the 15 miles of roadway just south of the Hoover Dam.

In November 2010, ADOT completed construction on the $71.3 million project, which widened the existing roadway section from two lanes to four and provided significant highway improvements, including a new trailhead, scenic overlooks and three wildlife crossings, which not only provide a safe crossing for the native Desert Bighorn Sheep, but also protection for motorists.

Because this portion of the US 93 is improved, motorists now have a continuous four-lane divided highway they can drive from the new bridge all the way south to Kingman.

This project is significant because of its magnitude and the aggressive schedule crews followed to get it done on time.

“Originally it was intended to be four different projects. That 15 miles was going to be split up into four different projects, which means it would take a long time to get finished,” Kingman District Engineer Mike Kondelis said. “In 2006, we were fortunate enough to get all four of those projects lumped together and built as one project. At that point, the race was on. We wanted to be able to complete this one project in time for the opening of the Hoover Dam bypass.”

Before you take a look at the video above for more on why the bypass played such an integral part in the construction of this portion of US 93, we want to share just a few of the project stats …

  • The project required more than 3.5 million cubic yards of excavation (one cubic yard is 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet … that’s a major amount of material!). 
  • More than 2.9 million pounds of reinforced steel were used in the bridges and various concrete segments. 
  • This section of the project also included more than 22 miles of new guardrail and 4.5 miles of culvert pipe. 
  • The project has been recognized with some major awards, including the Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association Transportation Project of the Year in the $25 to $75 million category and the 2011 Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Award. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona presented the 2011 Engineering Excellence Judge’s Choice Award to the project designer, AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. This project also received a couple of environmental awards, including the FHWA Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative Award and the National Environmental Excellence Award (in the conservation category) from the National Association of Environmental Professionals.

Winter weather suspends northern projects for the season

Winter weather suspends northern projects for the season

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Winter weather suspends northern projects for the season

Winter weather suspends northern projects for the season

December 7, 2011

Snowy conditions from up north earlier this year.

The official start of winter is approaching, but the cold weather is already here!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve told you how ADOT prepares for the snowy conditions common this time of year in Arizona’s high country.

Getting the snowplows ready, along with plenty of deicer ready, along with closing down certain low-traffic/heavy snow routes are vital steps, but there’s an additional action ADOT takes each year as the temperatures start to dip …

Every winter ADOT has to suspend work on projects in the state’s high country. This is necessary because it is too cold to pour concrete or place asphalt pavement (rubberized asphalt is especially sensitive to temperature variations).

But that doesn’t mean our crews just drop what they’re doing!

Work is stopped at a logical point and the work zone is generally left in a condition that doesn’t impede traffic. Drivers may notice some barricades and should be aware as they’re driving through project sites.

And as for the actual crews…ADOT workers who manage or inspect the projects either switch gears to next-year’s planning or are reassigned to maintenance for the season.

Here’s a list of projects that have either already been suspended for the winter, or will be stopped in the next week or so:

  • SR 64 roadway and streetscape improvements in Tusayan
  • I-17 Munds Park traffic interchange
  • US 93 repaving north of Kingman (top layer of rubberized asphalt will be finished in the spring)
  • US 93 repaving south of Wikieup
  • SR 260 passing lanes between Overgaard and Show Low
  • US 60 repaving between Springerville and the New Mexico state line
  • I-40 repaving through Holbrook
  • SR 87 repaving north of I-40
Work on other projects, such as the widening of SR 260, 20 miles east of Payson, continues because the current stage involves blasting and excavating, which can be done in cold weather.

 

For tools, maps and other information designed to assist you this season, check out ADOT’s Know Snow Web page. You also can stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions by visiting the ADOT Traveler Information Center, or by calling 511.

US 93 wildlife crossing honored with environmental award

US 93 wildlife crossing honored with environmental award

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US 93 wildlife crossing honored with environmental award

US 93 wildlife crossing honored with environmental award

September 13, 2011

US 93 - Wildlife Crossing
          Photos courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department

Over the past several years, ADOT has worked to transform the highly traveled US 93 between Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam from a two-lane highway to an environmentally friendly four-lane, divided highway.

A project of this scale will always present its share of issues, but widening the final section – from Kingman to the Mike O’Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge – provided ADOT with an especially unique challenge …

That final stretch also happened to be the stomping grounds of the country’s largest contiguous herd of desert bighorn sheep.

Without some sort of solution, motorist safety would be at risk from the substantially increased chance of wildlife-vehicle collisions. But the sheep still needed to be able to cross the highway in order to reach essential resources on both sides.

Wildlife overpasses were thought to be the obvious fix … but, where should they be built along this 15-miles of new roadway?

To answer that question, ADOT worked with a number of state and federal agencies in a collaborative partnership to seek locations where the sheep were most likely to cross the highway. The Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Federal Highway Administration were all part of the effort.

The team was able to track the animals by placing electronic collars on them and using global positioning system tracking units to trace their movements over an extended period of time.

This research helped identify the most appropriate crossing locations for the herd. Three specially designed overpasses for bighorn sheep – the first of their kind in Arizona and the lower 48 states – were constructed, along with fencing, as part of the highway expansion.

The project has been successful. Cameras installed on the crossing bridges captured the desert bighorn sheep using the new overpasses, which are 100-feet wide and 203-feet long and the Federal Highway Administration awarded ADOT one of its top environmental honors, the 2011 Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative Award, for the successful completion of this project.

ADOT’s Director of Environmental Services Todd Williams says the project was truly a joint effort of the multiple agencies involved.

“Without their support and teamwork, we would not have been able to accomplish as much as we did,” he said. “This new section of divided highway in this environmentally sensitive area delicately addressed two critical issues: the safety of the traveling public and the need to preserve the livelihood of the Desert Bighorn Sheep, which are native to the Black Mountains. These new wildlife overpasses helped accomplish both objectives on this project.”