YUMA – Drivers who have been anticipating a new bridge to carry US 95 traffic over the flood-prone Fortuna Wash don’t have much longer to wait: The bridge is expected to begin taking traffic by the end of November.

The final two concrete pours to complete the deck of the bridge are planned Thursday, Sept. 22, and again on Thursday, Oct. 6, beginning each night about 10 p.m. and continuing until about 6 a.m. the following day. Drivers on US 95 may experience minor delays during those times.

Final work should be completed by spring, but only minor traffic interruptions are expected after the bridge opens to traffic.

US 95 is the only north-south route connecting Yuma with Interstate 10 and Arizona locations along the Colorado River. Until now, it has taken drivers through the wash and has been subject to unexpected closures during heavy rains.

The bridge will make US 95 a safer and more-reliable route for agriculture, international trade and seasonal visitors.

“This bridge is a crucial safety project and will be a huge benefit for the entire region,” said ADOT Southwest District Engineer Paul Patane. “Motorists and commercial vehicles rely on this roadway every day, and with this they can be confident that they won’t be stopped when the wash is flooded.”

The bridge also will make travel more reliable for employees and cargo shipments at Yuma Proving Ground, a U.S. Army facility with more than 3,000 military and civilian employees. The area’s largest employer, it is one of the largest military installations in the world and home to General Motors’ hot-weather vehicle test facility. It has an economic impact of more than $430 million annually.

The Fortuna Wash bridge is designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic but will be initially striped for two lanes with center-turn lane. The $15 million cost is partially funded by a $3.2 million federal grant.

YUMA – Residents will have a more reliable link with Yuma County’s largest employer, Yuma Proving Ground, thanks to a 600-foot bridge the Arizona Department of Transportation is building across a flood-prone section of US 95.

Work began this week on the $9.3 million bridge spanning Fortuna Wash northeast of Yuma and is expected to be completed by next winter.

In addition to being a key trade route between the U.S. and Mexico, US 95 near Yuma sees increased demand during the winter months from agricultural workers and seasonal visitors. The highway currently passes through the wash, which sees flash flooding that forces closures.

“Building a bridge over Fortuna Wash is a critical safety project for the Yuma County region, the Yuma Proving Ground and the agricultural industry,” said ADOT Southwest District Engineer Paul Patane. “Motorists rely on this roadway every day to travel between Yuma and Interstate 10, and flash flooding at Fortuna Wash has previously closed the only north-south corridor in the region, forcing motorists to take lengthy detours. This new bridge will be a huge benefit to the region.”

The bridge, partially funded through a $3.2 million federal grant ADOT received in 2011, is going in at milepost 34, approximately 12 miles northeast of Yuma and 10 miles south of the turnoff (Imperial Dam Road) to Yuma Proving Ground.

Yuma Proving Ground, a U.S. Army facility with more than 3,000 military and civilian employees, is one of the largest military installations in the world and home to General Motors’ hot-weather vehicle test facility. It has an economic impact of more than $430 million annually.

“I personally have waited many hours on Highway 95 over the years because Fortuna Wash floodwaters flowed over the road,” said Chuck Wullenjohn, public affairs officer at Yuma Proving Ground. “The new bridge will be a boon both for commuters and for YPG cargo shipments that will no longer face being impeded by a flowing wash.”

ADOT’s long-term goal is widening about 15 miles of US 95 between Avenue 9E to Aberdeen Road, but that project would first need to be funded. The Fortuna Wash bridge will be built to accommodate four lanes of traffic but initially striped for two lanes with center-turn lane.

Crews are scheduled to work on the Fortuna Wash bridge project during weekdays between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Initial work will include setting up a temporary detour road and tree removals, while actual bridge construction is expected to begin in March.

Motorists should allow extra travel time as lane restrictions will be in place and flaggers will occasionally need to alternate traffic through the work zone.

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 az511.gov or call 511.

PHOENIX — As the second-busiest border crossing in Arizona, the San Luis Port of Entry has experienced growing traffic congestion and it’s why the Arizona Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Yuma County and the city of San Luis partnered on a project to provide several improvements in the downtown San Luis area to improve traffic circulation, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses.

Following eight months of construction, ADOT completed the $11 million project on budget and on time after crews applied the final lane striping on US 95 (Main Street) last week and lifted all traffic restrictions. 

The project, which started last fall, included rerouting San Luis Port of Entry traffic away from the busy business district, which has significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and moved port of entry traffic to two local roads that were converted to one-way streets in an effort to relieve some of the traffic congestion and enhance safety.

Now northbound traffic from the San Luis Port of Entry is diverted to First Street and southbound port of entry traffic uses Archibald Street.

“More than six million people travel annually through the San Luis Port of Entry,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “With continuing growth across the international border in San Luis, Sonora, Mexico, it’s become a priority to ensure the safety of the thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists who access the downtown business district in San Luis every day.”

By rerouting vehicle traffic from the San Luis Port of Entry away from Main Street, access to businesses located along Main Street was improved to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition, it allowed for additional parking and benches, and new pavement, pavement striping and landscaping, which was partially funded through a Transportation Enhancement grant the city of San Luis received in 2009.

Two roundabouts were also built to facilitate traffic, including one at the intersection of US 95 (Main Street) and D Street, and a second, smaller one at Urtuzuastegui Street and US 95 (Main Street).

ADOT also installed the first pedestrian-activated signalized crosswalk in Yuma County, located at the intersection of US 95 (Main Street) and Urtuzuastegui Street. This special type of traffic light, known as the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, is a system of indicator lights and signs that controls vehicle traffic to assist pedestrians in safely crossing a major street or highway at a marked crosswalk that does not have a standard traffic signal.

ADOT also worked with the Yuma County Flood Control District to install a new stormwater drainage system within the downtown area, at the same time the street enhancements were under construction.

In addition, the city of San Luis plans to remove and replace the pavement on B and C Streets between Main Street and Archibald Street at a later date to complement the recently completed improvements.

“The San Luis City Council would like to thank the community for their on-going support during the Main Street Improvement Project,” said city of San Luis Mayor Gerardo Sanchez. “We would also like to thank ADOT, Federal Highway Administration and Yuma County for working with the City of San Luis with this project.  We are pleased with the improvements and beautification throughout the city’s downtown area.”

PHOENIX — The first pedestrian-activated signalized crosswalk in Yuma County, located at the intersection of US 95 (Main Street) and Urtuzuastegui Street in San Luis, will be operational starting Wednesday morning, May 20.

The specialized traffic light, known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, is part of an ongoing Arizona Department of Transportation improvement project in the downtown San Luis area to improve traffic flow to and from the U.S.-Mexico Port of Entry, enhance bicyclist and pedestrian safety, and improve access to downtown businesses.

This special type of traffic light, which has been deployed in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas and across the nation to improve safety for pedestrians, is a system of indicator lights and signs that controls vehicle traffic to assist pedestrians in safely crossing a major street or highway at a marked crosswalk that does not have a standard traffic signal.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to become familiar with how a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon operates. Printable instructions may be downloaded at azdot.gov/PHB.

The light is activated after a button is pushed by a pedestrian. Traffic is alerted to stop with a flashing yellow light followed by a solid yellow light and then by two solid red lights, providing motorists with an unmistakable message to stop. At this point, the pedestrian is signaled to walk safely across the street and the associated pedestrian countdown signal indicates how much time is left to cross the street. During this period, motorists are required to stop and remain stopped until pedestrians have finished crossing the street, and then motorists may proceed with caution when the red lights begin to flash alternately and also the crosswalk is clear of pedestrians.

Steps for Activation:

• When there is no pedestrian waiting to cross, drivers see that all indication lights are dark; the pedestrian will see a “DON’T WALK” symbol. A pedestrian who wants to cross the street will need to push the button to activate the system.
• When a pedestrian pushes the button, approaching drivers will see a FLASHING YELLOW light for a few seconds, indicating that they should reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Pedestrians will continue to see a “DON’T WALK” symbol and should wait.
• Drivers will see a STEADY YELLOW light, warning drivers the indication will soon turn to a STEADY RED light. Pedestrians will continue to see the “DON’T WALK” symbol and should continue to wait.
• Drivers will see a STEADY RED light, which requires them to STOP at the stop line. At this point, the pedestrian receives a “WALK” symbol to cross.
• As the pedestrian crosses the street, drivers will see ALTERNATING FLASHING RED lights, indicating that they need to STOP and remain stopped until pedestrians have finished crossing the street. Drivers may proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear. Pedestrians will see a flashing countdown that indicates how much time they have to cross the street.
• At the end of the flashing countdown, drivers will see that all indication lights are dark; the pedestrian will see a “DON’T WALK” symbol. Drivers may continue to proceed through the crosswalk if it is clear; pedestrians waiting to cross will have to push the button to re-activate the system.

Motorists traveling on US 95 (Main Street) should be alert for the change in traffic control at the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon that allows pedestrians to stop vehicles traveling in both directions.

The $11 million San Luis Street Improvements Project, which started in October 2014, is slated to be completed by the end of next month.

PHOENIX — The new year is shaping up to be a big year for the Arizona Department of Transportation, as the agency will be working on several new and existing projects that will aid economic development and support the efficient movement of goods and services across the state.

All of the projects will be funded with federal and state highway funds, which are collected through gas and vehicle license taxes. In the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas, voters have approved supplemental tax revenue that enables more transportation projects to move forward in their respective regions. 

Phoenix-Area Projects for 2015

Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway
ADOT expects to release the Record of Decision for the long-proposed South Mountain Freeway this spring and work toward selecting a contractor for the proposed $1.9 billion project. The 22-mile-long freeway would run east and west along Pecos Road and then turn north between 55th and 63rd avenues, connecting with I-10 on each end. The South Mountain Freeway is also part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400. 

Loop 101 and Loop 202 Widening Projects in East Valley
Much of the focus on freeway improvements in the metro Phoenix area will remain on projects that broke ground in 2014 and are due for completion in 2016. The $73 million Loop 101 widening project between Shea Boulevard and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in the Scottsdale area is adding an additional lane in each direction along 11 miles of the Pima Freeway, as well as merge lanes between most major interchanges. The $109 million project to widen the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway between Loop 101 in Tempe and Broadway Road in east Mesa also will advance, with new general purpose lanes being added between Loop 101 and Gilbert Road, along with HOV lanes between Gilbert Road and Broadway Road.

Interstate 10/Loop 303 Interchange
Among the new freeway projects scheduled to start this year is the “south half” of the Interstate 10/Loop 303 Interchange, which will complete all ramp connections between the two freeways in Goodyear. Work is expected to start this fall. The north half of the interchange opened last August and, combined with a widened Loop 303 north of I-10, has been embraced by West Valley communities as much-needed infrastructure to help drive economic development in the region. 

Additional Loop 303 Improvements in Northwest Valley
Farther north along Loop 303, ADOT will launch a project to add an interchange at El Mirage Road by this spring. The new interchange will be built at the same time that crews are improving Loop 303 into a six-lane freeway between Grand Avenue (US 60) and Happy Valley Parkway in Peoria. A third project already underway is creating improved connections at the Loop 303/Grand Avenue interchange. All three projects are scheduled for completion in 2016.

US 60 Improvements in Surprise
Also in Surprise, a project to build a Bell Road bridge over Grand Avenue (US 60) and new ramps connecting the two roadways is scheduled to start late in the year, after a design-build contracting team is selected by ADOT. 

Tucson-Area Projects for 2015 

Interstate 19 Traffic Interchange Reconstruction (Ajo Way)
In 2015, ADOT will begin work to replace the existing Interstate 19 traffic interchange at State Route 86, also known as Ajo Way, with a single-point urban interchange. The modern interchange will feature a single set of traffic signals, rather than signals at multiple locations. The $86 million project is expected to improve traffic flow and enhance safety for motorists traveling through Tucson’s southwest side. Construction is expected to continue through 2017 and will also include widening I-19 from Ajo Way to Irvington Road and widening SR 86 to three lanes in each direction between 16th Avenue and Holiday Isle.

State Route 77 Widening (Tangerine Road to Pinal County Line)
After starting work in summer 2014, ADOT will continue efforts to upgrade a six-mile section of SR 77 (Oracle Road) between Tangerine Road and the Pinal county line from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. Along with widening the roadway, planned improvements include raised medians, traffic signal and drainage improvements, wildlife crossings, sound walls and multiuse paths. The $33.9 million project is slated to take two years to complete. 

State Route 86 Widening (Valencia to Kinney Roads)
In 2015, ADOT is expected to begin construction on expanding SR 86 (Ajo Highway) in each direction from Valencia to Kinney roads in Pima County, 10 miles west of downtown Tucson. This seven-mile-long, $55 million project in Pima County will enhance safety and improve traffic flow on the highway, which serves as a regional transportation route between Tucson and south-central Arizona. SR 86 provides access to the Tohono O'odham Nation and is widely used to reach the popular tourist destination in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point.

Statewide Projects for 2015

Northern Arizona

US 93 Widening (State Route 71 to State Route 89 and Antelope Wash sections)
ADOT will continue long-standing efforts to transform the heavily traveled corridor between Phoenix and Las Vegas into a modern four-lane divided highway throughout the entire 200-mile stretch with two US 93 widening projects this year. After beginning last year, ADOT will complete upgrading a three-mile segment of US 93 (Antelope Wash), located approximately 20 miles north of Wikieup (mileposts 101-104) this summer. A second US 93 widening project (State Route 71 to State Route 89), just north of Wickenburg (mileposts 185-190), is expected to break ground this spring. 

State Route 89A Spot Widening (Vista Overlook to JW Powell)
This $22.5 million project is slated to improve safety and traffic flow by widening the roadway and constructing passing lanes entering and exiting Oak Creek Canyon through an eight-mile stretch from the popular tourist destination Vista Overlook to the JW Powell interchange, three miles south of Flagstaff. Design of the project is nearly complete and ADOT hopes to start construction this year.

Interstate 40 Pavement Improvements (various projects)
ADOT has several major resurfacing projects in the works along the nearly 360-mile-long I-40, which is one of Arizona’s Key Commerce Corridors, as it stretches from California to the New Mexico state line, Three major pavement preservation projects are set to take place in 2015. This spring will complete final paving on the Rattlesnake Wash to US 93 (mileposts 57-72) section east of Kingman after the project began last summer. Later this year, ADOT will start two new resurfacing projects east of Flagstaff, including the Navajo county line to Minnetonka (milepost 250-259) and Walnut Canyon to Twin Arrows (milepost 214-218) segments.

US 89 Landslide Repairs (near Bitter Springs)
ADOT is scheduled to reopen US 89 south of Page after the highway was closed on Feb. 20, 2013 after a landslide caused serious damage to the highway near the Echo Cliffs. Major work on the repairs began on Aug. 11, 2014 as crews began excavating nearly one million cubic yards of rock near the highway to build a buttress, which will stabilize and reinforce the mountain slope that carries the roadway. The $25 million repair project remains on target to reopen to traffic this spring, in advance of this summer’s tourism season in Page and Lake Powell. 

Southern Arizona

US 60 Widening (Silver King/Superior Streets)
This spring, ADOT is expected to start a project to convert the last remaining two-lane roadway segment on US 60 between Phoenix and Superior into a modern, four-lane divided highway. The $45 million project (mileposts 222-227), which will also include improving the urban section of highway in Superior, is expected to take two years to complete.

US 95 Fortuna Wash Bridge
This $13.5 million project is part of a larger corridor improvement project for US 95, the north and south corridor between Yuma and Quartzsite. US 95 is also the main route to the Yuma Proving Ground, which is one of the largest employers in Yuma County and one of the Army’s busiest training sites in the U.S. This project includes a bridge over Fortuna Wash, which often floods during heavy rains. This project is scheduled to begin in the spring.

US 95 San Luis Street Improvements
This $11 million project includes reconfiguring San Luis Port of Entry traffic off US 95 in San Luis to facilitate business along Main Street. The project, which began in October 2014, will help the circulation of traffic, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses near the U.S.-Mexico international border. Work will be completed this year.

Major Studies

Interstate 11
ADOT’s Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor Study continues to move forward. This year, work will begin on an Environmental Impact Statement which will allow ADOT to begin an environmental study in the area between Nogales and Wickenburg, part of the proposed Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor. The $15 million Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is expected to take three years to complete, once work gets underway later this year. Interstate 11, which will connect Arizona to the entire Intermountain West, is one of our state’s Key Commerce Corridors. I-11 is being planned as a multimodal freight corridor and a manufacturing belt that will drive trade, commerce, job growth and economic development while facilitating strong connections to other major markets.

Passenger Rail
The next major step for ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study: Tucson to Phoenix is to publish the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public review. Three public hearings will be held later this year in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties to allow community members to comment on the recommendations of the study. Following the public review process, the final recommendations and environmental considerations will be issued on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for federal approval. ADOT is currently evaluating three final rail alternatives. The Passenger Rail Corridor Study is expected to be completed later this year. ADOT’s mission is to evaluate and implement modes of transportation to provide a well-balanced, flexible transportation system that moves people and commerce throughout Arizona.

PHOENIX — The city of San Luis, which is home to the second-busiest Mexico border crossing in Arizona, has experienced growing traffic congestion as a result of the more than six million pedestrians and vehicles that pass annually through the downtown area, which is located across the border from San Luis, Sonora, Mexico, one of that country’s fastest-growing cities.

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the city of San Luis and Yuma County, will begin work on Monday, October 6, on several improvements in the downtown San Luis area to improve the circulation of traffic, enhance pedestrian safety and improve access to downtown businesses.

In order to do that, ADOT will redirect vehicles that now use US 95 (Main Street) through the downtown business shopping district and divert northbound traffic from the San Luis Port of Entry to First Street and southbound port of entry traffic to Archibald Street.

Beginning next week, motorists can expect lane restrictions on Archibald Street and First Street as ADOT starts work to convert the local roadways to one-way streets. The first phase of the project will also include work at the port of entry, and on Urtuzuastegui, B, C, and D streets. The project will require the closure of Friendship Park beginning on Oct. 13 until early next year.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Later phases of the project include construction of two roundabouts, including one at the intersection of US 95 (Main Street) and D Street and a second, smaller one at Urtuzuastegui Street. Additional improvements include a third travel lane through the port of entry, including two new traffic signals to enhance pedestrian safety.

ADOT is also working with the Yuma County Flood Control District to install a new storm drainage system within the downtown area, at the same time as the road and street enhancements are ongoing. This will reduce costs and limit the duration of impact to the traveling public as much as possible.

“This project is vital to the community of San Luis and the millions of travelers who regularly pass through this extremely busy port of entry at the U.S. – Mexico border,” said ADOT Yuma District Engineer Paul Patane. “We’re improving traffic and pedestrian operations while enhancing the downtown business district.”

As part of a Transportation Enhancement grant the city of San Luis received in 2009, the downtown shopping district will also receive additional parking, benches, new pavement, striping and landscaping. By eliminating the connection from San Luis Port of Entry to Main Street, access to businesses located along Main Street will be improved to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

“City of San Luis Mayor Gerardo Sanchez and the residents of San Luis are very pleased with seeing the project come to a start,” said City of San Luis Director of Operations Tadeo Azael De La Hoya. “This project will not only improve traffic southbound but will aid businesses and business development in downtown. This will create a more vibrant downtown and will attract additional business. San Luis residents are welcoming this project and see it as an opportunity for growth.”

With the $11 million project expected to take up to 10 months to complete, ADOT is prepared to deal with the unique traffic challenges that are common to the San Luis and Yuma areas due to the spike in traffic during the fall/winter agricultural season.

“There’s no doubt that there will be a traffic impact associated with all the road construction, but ADOT is working closely with local law enforcement and the city to reduce that impact as much as possible to ensure traffic will move smoothly,” said Patane. “It’s important for drivers to slow down and pay attention to warning signs and flaggers that are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.”