By Dustin Krugel
ADOT Office of Public Information

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

Work began earlier this month 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.

By Dustin Krugel
ADOT Office of Public Information

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.”