The video we have for you today is a little different from what we normally share.
Instead of focusing on what we’re doing here at ADOT, this one concentrates on the agency itself. It explains everything from leadership and funding to MVD, planning, enforcement and communications.
Initially envisioned as an internal training tool for new employees, the video turned out so well and has so much useful information packed into it, we thought you’d enjoy seeing it too!
ADOT continues work on US 89 widening, bridge replacement project near Cameron
ADOT continues work on US 89 widening, bridge replacement project near Cameron
July 22, 2014
According to Arizona’s Historic Bridge Inventory, the Cameron Truss Bridge was constructed in 1958 to replace another bridge that had been built back in 1911.
Here we are, 56 years later, and it’s time to replace that replacement…
“The current bridge is safe now, but it’s basically at the end of its lifespan,” says Project Supervisor Rick Schilke in the video above.
The bridge has had a good run, though, and has carried countless vehicles over the Little Colorado River, near Cameron. It’s also kind of noteworthy, according to the bridge inventory.
“As a pivotal crossing on this regionally important route, the Cameron Truss Bridge enjoys a degree of historical significance for its contribution to northern Arizona transportation,” the document states on page 298. “The structure is technologically important as a well-preserved example of large-scale bridge construction.”
About the project
ADOT started in March on the project to expand US 89 from two lanes to four lanes through the community of Cameron within the Navajo Nation, approximately 50 miles north of Flagstaff. The project is planned to be constructed in two main phases, with completion expected in fall 2016.
Major work includes the widening of US 89 to two lanes in each direction between State Route 64 and the Little Colorado River (mileposts 464-467) and the removal and replacement of the existing Cameron Truss Bridge with two new bridges at that location.
Additional improvements include constructing a roundabout at the existing intersection of US 89 and SR 64, new sidewalks, streetlights and four pedestrian/livestock underpasses.
What drivers should expect
As Schilke explains in the video above, the restrictions to traffic will be relatively minor.
During the first phase of construction, all traffic will remain on its current alignment. For the second phase, all traffic will be moved onto the newly constructed roadway (anticipated in summer 2015).
Delays may occur during construction with traffic reduced to one lane. There will be directional signage and flaggers present during construction. ADOT advises motorists to be alert for construction equipment and personnel, and to proceed through the work zone with caution.
For more information, please check out the project Web page. If you’re interested in the history of the bridge (which we’re betting you are – you’re reading a transportation blog, after all!), you can find additional facts by viewing the Historic Bridge Inventory.
It was back in 2011 that we first told you about the improvements being made to I-10 and Prince Road in the Tucson area.
Today, nearly three years later, we’re happy to inform you of the project’s completion!
Since March, motorists traveling along Prince Road at the I-10 junction are no longer inconvenienced when one of the 40-60 trains pass daily through this area of Tucson.
Now, there’s no more waiting for the train to go by! Since ADOT opened the reconstructed Prince Road traffic interchange, motorists now are traveling over – instead of under – I-10.
The new overpass, which was built 30 feet above ground level on the east side of I-10 and slopes down to reach current ground-level, was a key part of a $76.4 million I-10 widening project between Ruthrauff and Prince roads. The project upgraded a two-plus mile section of I-10 by increasing capacity, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow on this highly traveled corridor in Tucson.
Over the past several months, work on the I-10 (Ruthrauff Road to Prince Road) widening project has been completed. Since March, crews have completed landscaping, electrical and barrier installation, sign installation and rubberized asphalt paving.
These improvements will help to increase the flow of traffic through the area and will also contribute toward increasing the safety of the traveling public.
If you’re interested in seeing this project’s progress, please revisit some of our previous posts.
ADOT crews put up some new signs last week, but hopefully you’ll never get a good view of them while you’re on the road…
That’s because these signs are there to tell drivers that they are driving the WRONG WAY.
“Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” signs are already in place along freeway off-ramps, but these new, larger versions are being installed and studied along exit ramps at six freeway interchanges. The decision to enhance wrong-way driver signs and markings and observe their effectiveness follows discussions between ADOT, the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety and the state’s Department of Public Safety.
In addition to being bigger (the “Do Not Enter” signs are increased in size from 30 by 30 inches to 48 by 48 inches and the new “Wrong Way” signs measure 48 by 36 inches.), the signs are being placed lower on their posts to see if that will help in alerting confused or impaired wrong-way drivers.
As you can see in the video above, crews also added pavement markers in the shape of large arrows pointing the right way along the exit ramps. Those pavement markers have reflectors to display the color red as a warning to any drivers going the wrong way on the ramps. The reflectors are already in use as part of the lane markings on freeways.
It is not yet known how long the new signs and other changes will be studied before a decision is made about an expansion of the program to other state freeway or highway locations. There are more than 100 traffic interchanges on the Phoenix-area freeway system and more than 475 interchanges along the rest of the state highway system.
ADOT and other public safety agencies work in support of the three E’s of highway safety: engineering, education and enforcement. The sign changes and the addition of the reflective pavement marker wrong-way arrows are examples of near-term engineering steps ADOT can implement and study as part of an overall effort to reduce the risk of wrong-way drivers.
Science of Transportation: Calcium Carbonate testing
Science of Transportation: Calcium Carbonate testing
July 1, 2014
Plants won’t grow if they’re rooted in the wrong soil – no matter how green your thumbs are.
That’s why ADOT makes sure its topsoil is suitable for good growth...
Before you start asking why ADOT, a department responsible for building and maintaining state highways, would put time and money toward soil and plants, let us just say that landscaping serves a very practical role beyond making things look prettier.
According to the ADOT Construction Manual, “Functional plantings serve to improve traffic guidance, reduce headlight glare, provide safety features, reduce pollution, provide view and wind screening, control erosion, act as a sound barrier and contribute to improved aesthetic values.”
Topsoil testing
The topsoil (top two feet of soil) that’s used on ADOT projects in urban areas must meet certain specifications to make sure that plantings will have a chance to thrive. Before a source of topsoil is accepted on an ADOT project, an analysis is completed to check pH levels, soluble salts, exchangeable sodium and other characteristics.
We’re not going to focus on every single test in this blog post (that would take too long and there are good soils books that do just that!). Today, we just want to explain how topsoil is tested for Calcium Carbonate.
As you can see in the video above, ADOT’s Materials Chemistry Lab starts with a gram of soil.
After adding a Hydrochloric Acid solution to the soil (this ensures the complete decomposition of the Calcium Carbonate), the mixture is filtered. Next, a drop of Phenolphthalein Indicator is added (this is a chemical that will change color depending on the composition of what it mixes with).
Now, a Sodium Hydroxide Solution is measured into that solution until it turns to a pinkish color. The amount of Sodium Hydroxide Solution necessary for that reaction to take place is recorded and used in an equation that shows the percentage of Calcium Carbonate in that soil sample.
Isn’t science amazing?
In order for topsoil to pass for use on an ADOT project, six samples can’t average more than 8 percent Calcium Carbonate.
Calcium Carbonate isn’t bad – a certain level of it is needed in soil – you just don’t want too much of it, otherwise plants are going to have a hard time.
“It can bind the soil particles together so tightly that water can’t penetrate,” said ADOT’s Chief Landscape Architect LeRoy Brady. “If the percentage of Calcium Carbonate is too high, you’re not going to get infiltration of what little rainfall we get.”
Brady says a high presence of Calcium Carbonate can also make other micronutrients not as available.
If a topsoil source does not meet specifications, ADOT can reject it and require that the contractor use another source. In some cases, ADOT can require that a contractor treat the soil to fix the problem.
The end goal for all this testing is to make sure that the landscaping lasts.
"We’re looking at the long term," Brady says. "We want to make it as sustainable as possible."
According to ADOT Chemist Jeffrey Faulkner, the ADOT lab tests approximately 100 topsoil samples for Calcium Carbonate each year.
You might think that highway construction is all about big machinery, heavy-duty vehicles, massive structures and materials by the ton – but it’s not. Sure, those are important, but when it comes to building a road, science plays a strong role too. In fact, the work ADOT does off the project site and inside a lab is so significant that we are highlighting it here on the blog with a new series we’re calling, The Science of Transportation.
Well, crews wrapped things up ahead of schedule and (good news) the road closure was lifted early!
The “switchbacks” section of SR 89A opened to motorists the night of June 16. The three-mile section had been closed to allow crews to resurface the highway along this narrow, twisty section of roadway, which is prone to rockfalls. As part of the $2 million improvement project, ADOT removed loose rocks from the mountainside along the roadway and made deck repairs to the historic Pumphouse Wash Bridge.
You can see in the video above why a full closure was necessary…
In addition to removing and replacing the existing asphalt, crews also made repairs to the surface of the historic Pumphouse Wash Bridge and performed rock fall mitigation work in this area.
The rock scaling portion of the project required crews to manually pry big rocks off the side of the mountain.
Slide Fire
Besides pavement repair, rock scaling and everything else involved in the project, crews also had to contend with a major wildfire that burned near the project site.
The five-week full closure of the highway had originally been scheduled from May 27 – July 2, but crews were evacuated from the project on May 20, at the start of the Slide Fire. The wildfire originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park and forced the closure of the highway from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff.
Work on the project resumed on June 1, shortly after local authorities lifted wildfire-related restrictions near the highway.
“The wonderful thing about this project was, even in spite of the delay caused by the Slide Fire and the additional repairs that were needed, crews were able to coordinate their efforts and maintain a very tight schedule and finish the project ahead of the July 2 deadline,” says Senior Community Relations Officer Coralie Cole in the video above. “We think you’re going to be very happy with the results.”
What’s next for SR 89A
ADOT will need to return next month for three weekdays to complete final lane striping through the project corridor. A single-lane restriction will be required and flaggers will be present to guide traffic through the work zone. For more information on the SR 89A improvements, please visit the project Web page.
Haboob Haikus help spread important safety message
Haboob Haikus help spread important safety message
June 18, 2014
Dust and wind must make for some good poetic inspiration, because we’ve received so many outstanding Haboob Haikus!
This year’s submissions really have showcased the clever creativity of all you poets out there.
We thank you for helping us to spread the message and we hope you’ll continue to tell your friends and family why it’s so important to “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”
We’ll continue to keep you updated on driving conditions and the dangers of dust storms. You can monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. And, don’t forget you can find all our dust storm safety driving tips at PullAsideStayAlive.org.
Now, back to those haikus…
We want to share a sample of the Haboob Haikus from this year (it was too hard to pick a favorite!).
Powerful nature / bad impairment of vision/ Stay off of the road!
Look! A big haboob / I'll speed up and outrun it… / BOOM! I'm such a boob
Sunset looking good / until Pig Pen’s cloud appears / Good grief, pull aside
Sand from the desert / an oppressive wind blowing / Pull over and live
Don't drive into me / Pull over and all lights off / Drive home when dust clears
Haboob hijacks you / Don't make it mad. Stop and wait / Patience beats haboobs
Haboobs are dusty / so pull aside stay alive / then go wash your car!
Clear and sunny day / Oh man...that's a lot of dust! / Pull over, lights off!
Did you have a favorite #HaboobHaiku this year? Let us know in the comments your No. 1 choice. And, if you haven't yet, we invite you to participate in ADOT's new online dust storm survey.
It starts this Sunday and brings with it the increased chance of high winds, blowing dust and other conditions that can really impact your drive.
Knowing what to do when a dust storm hits is vital, which is why we want to again remind everyone of our “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message.
The importance of that message is certainly apparent in the powerful video above, in which you’ll hear a first-hand account of just how quickly conditions can change when a dust storm is on the horizon.
We want to make sure you’re prepared, so we invite you to review these safety tips (you can also find them on PullAsideStayAlive.org):
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway -- do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
DPS Officer Carrick Cook says it best in the video above...
“It’s decisions to go into dust storms that cause those types of crashes and we’re trying to encourage motorists to not even enter it – don’t even run the risk,” he says. “People that continue to go through a dust storm, knowing that it’s there, are recklessly doing that. Zero visibility is the worst-case scenario. There’s no reasonable speed, when you can’t see.”
As always, drivers planning trips are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
If you’ve got 17 syllables to spare, we want to hear from you because #HaboobHaiku is back!
This is the one and only contest (as far as we know) to mix an ancient form of poetry with dust storm safety – the results are always entertaining and educational.
In its third year now, the #HaboobHaiku challenge is designed to reinforce ADOT’s public safety message urging drivers to avoid driving into or through a dust storm. Drivers are instead encouraged to pull off the roadway and wait out a dust storm, rather than trying to drive with reduced or zero visibility (see more driving tips here).
You can read in detail why we #HaboobHaiku in this blog post from last year and you’ll see that our main focus each year is to get people talking about the dangers of driving in dust storms. By building awareness about dust storm safety and our “Pull Aside, Stay Alive” message, we hope more drivers will know what to do when that next dust storm hits.
So, are you in? Will you help us spread the word on dust storm safety by coming up with your very own Haboob Haiku? All you have to do is share it with us on Twitter (don’t forget the #HaboobHaiku hashtag and be sure to mention @ArizonaDOT, so we see your poem) or on our Facebook page or even here in the blog comments.
How to Haboob Haiku
Haiku is a type of poetry that conforms to a certain syllable structure. These poems traditionally written in three lines – the first line consists of five syllables, the second line has seven and the third ends with five.
Usually these poems can be on any subject, but for #HaboobHaiku, we want you to focus on monsoons, dust storms and our safety message: Pull Aside, Stay Alive.
You can get some inspiration from our previous dust storm safety blog posts, or you can watch the video above to see top #HaboobHaikus from last year as voted on by the public.
Here are some of our favorites from past years:
You’re not a Jedi / This is not Tatooine, Luke / Pull over now, man
Oh snap, crackle, pop / Dust has you blind, pull over/ Or you’ll want to cry
Dust blows, swirls and grows / Roadways become danger zones/ Pull over, lights off
We can’t wait to see what you come up with this year!
We’re headed into monsoon season, which means motorists need to be on alert. High winds, blowing dust and other conditions that can impact your drive are more common this time of year.
If you’ve been following us for the past few seasons, you already know the drill…
ADOT works to raise awareness on the subject and urges drivers to take extra safety precautions. We also get the word out when a dust storm is happening through social media, 511 and overhead message boards.
We’ll have more dust storm content for you this week (including a new video and the return of our #HaboobHaiku challenge!), but for now we want to leave you with some safety tips that we hope you’ll read and share with your friends, family and co-workers.
Motorists play an important role in their own safety and the safety of others when operating their vehicles during a dust storm. Here are some driving tips to remember when encountering a low- or no-visibility dust storm:
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway -- do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
Do not stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane; look for a safe place to pull completely off the paved portion of the roadway.
Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
A driver’s alertness and safe driving ability is still the number one factor to prevent crashes.
As always, drivers planning trips are urged to monitor travel conditions by calling 511, or by visiting www.az511.gov.
