When construction wraps up on SR 24 later this year in southeast Mesa, the new freeway will span one mile between Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road.

Known also as the Gateway Freeway, SR 24 certainly will help alleviate traffic congestion in the area. However, that’s not the only reason why this project is valuable to the East Valley...

“It will become a gateway, if you will, to the farther southeast Valley,” says Citizen’s Transportation Oversight Committee Chairman Roc Arnett in the video above. “It will help the airport, it will help Queen Creek, it will help southeast Mesa, it will help Apache Junction.”

Project acceleration

Work started just over a year ago even though SR 24 originally wasn't scheduled for construction until 2016.

The schedule was moved up because Mesa used Highway Project Advancement Notes to get things started a few years early.

"I do have to commend the city of Mesa for looking into the future and working with ADOT on not only the near term of what's needed, but in that outward look, that 20-year look on the horizon of where they're going to grow and how they want to grow," says ADOT Director John Halikowski in the video above. "That's a good thing for the taxpayer. It's a wise investment of their transportation dollars."

Mesa will be paid back in the year SR 24 construction was originally slated.

Here we are, blogging about pavement … again! When we told you there’s a lot to learn on the subject, we weren’t joking.

Today’s topic has to do with how concrete pavement is made – it all starts at the batch plant.

A batch plant is where concrete pavement is mixed before it’s trucked to where it is needed. On some ADOT projects, contractors will utilize a portable plant (which is what you see in the video above).

These portable batch plants are a huge time and money saver, allowing contractors to mix concrete on a project site instead of purchasing and hauling it from an outside source. According to one estimate, mixing on site saves about 20 percent over what it would cost to purchase from a commercial plant.

But, how does the concrete actually get made? We’ll borrow an explanation from this blog post to tell you:

If you can imagine mixing a giant cake, you can visualize how concrete is made.

First the contractor has the components – cement, fly ash, aggregate (rocks) and water – delivered and placed in stockpiles around the plant. The material is then loaded onto a conveyor belt and weighed by a computer before being placed in the mixer.

In just a minute and a half the concrete is ready to be loaded onto a transport vehicle and then placed on the roadway.

But, wait … there’s more.

Want to learn some additional facts about pavement? Check out our previous posts. We’ve blogged about quiet pavement, pavement at airports, materials testing, pavement markers, the impact climate can have on pavement and how crews make sure pavement is as smooth as possible.

Things have come a long way in the two months since a landslide buckled part of US 89 south of Page…

No, the route hasn’t been restored yet. But, as you can see in the video above, several steps already have been taken to return mobility to the area.

ADOT’s Senior Deputy State Engineer Rob Samour details a three-pronged approach that has been established as crews work toward an ultimate fix.

“We looked at the immediate, intermediate and ultimate solutions,” Samour says in the video. “The immediate solution actually took place within the first three weeks. We did start the geotechnical investigation and we were able to establish immediate access for emergency responders. The interim repair – the paving of N20 – is under the design phase right now. Hopefully we’ll be paving shortly. The ultimate repair of US 89 will eventually get a recommendation from our geotechnical engineers on a solution.”

So, while it’s still premature to lay out any sort of a timeline, drivers can know that ADOT is working toward identifying the long-term options and that we certainly recognize how important US 89 is to the community of Page and the region.

ADOT Director John Halikowski asks for patience and explains the process.

“The mountain has moved and literally to fix that roadway we are going to have to move that mountain in some way or we’re going to have to figure out a way to go around it,” Halikowski says in the video. “These are not quick and easy decisions to make because they do involve a great deal of technical issues in the engineering and geology areas but we are working on this as diligently as we can.”

The proposed Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway has a history that dates back to 1985, but we’re not going to blog about the project’s timeline today…

We’ll bring you a project overview soon, or, if you can’t wait, there are many, many details over on our South Mountain Web pages.

What we do want to tell you about right now is that an important public input process for the South Mountain Freeway Draft Environmental Impact Statement has just begun.

What’s a draft environmental impact statement?

The six-chapter document covers potential impacts from building or not building a freeway, coordination with the Gila River Indian Community, purpose and need for a new freeway, alternatives studied and public outreach efforts since the study was launched in 2001.

ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration released the document on April 26, launching a 90-day public review period that will feature a day-long public hearing on May 21.

Finding the draft

The draft environmental document can be found on the project website — and at the following locations in the community:

• Phoenix Public Library – Ironwood Branch, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix 
• Phoenix Public Library – Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix 
• FedEx Office Print and Ship Center, 4940 E. Ray Road, Phoenix 
• Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library, 495 E. Western Ave., Avondale 
• Tolleson Public Library, 9555 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson 
• ADOT Environmental Planning Group, 1611 W. Jackson St., Phoenix (call 602-712-7767 for appointment) 

More on the project

The proposed South Mountain Freeway has been a critical part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Freeway Program since it was first included in funding through Proposition 300 approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985. The freeway was also part of the Regional Transportation Plan funding passed by Maricopa County voters in 2004 through Proposition 400.

The South Mountain Freeway is the last piece to complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system necessary for high-quality regional mobility, according to the project’s engineers.

How to voice your opinion

The public will be able to provide comments in a variety of ways during the 90-day public comment period:

• Attending a public hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 21 at the Phoenix Convention Center (see map below for details)
• Providing input by email at [email protected]
• Submitting online commentsHERE
• Calling 602.712.7006
• Mailing comments to the South Mountain Study Team, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

The 90-day public review window is twice the amount of time required under federal law. Public comments must be submitted by July 24.

Following review of the draft environmental impact statement, the project’s study team will incorporate input gained from comments to produce the final environmental impact statement.

This final document will have a 60-day public review period. A record of decision is expected in 2014.

Funding for the South Mountain Freeway is already available in the MAG Regional Transportation Plan; construction of the freeway, if approved, could begin as soon as 2015. The eight-lane freeway would run from I-10 in the West Valley along 59th Avenue, cut across the southwest corner of South Mountain Park and connect with Pecos Road on the south side of Ahwatukee to connect with I-10 and the Loop 202 Santan Freeway. The 22- to 24-mile-long freeway has a $1.9 billion budget, allocated through voter-approved transportation funds as outlined in the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan.

For more information on how to participate in the study review process, visit the South Mountain Freeway Web page.

At this year’s Safety Partnering Roadeo, which was held March 26-27 at the State Fairgrounds facility in Phoenix, ADOT welcomed more than 400 people to participate in over 66 classes and various safety/training events…

But, what’s a roadeo?

There’s no roping, bull riding or barrel racing at an ADOT roadeo, but you will find plenty of events designed to test the skills and knowledge of equipment operators from all around the state.

Four components make up the two-day event that’s open to not only ADOT employees, but also equipment operators in the private sector and from other governmental agencies.

There’s a driving course, which is designed to test an operator’s ability to maneuver a vehicle through a series of obstacles. The main objective is to complete the course without hitting any of the obstacles and to operate the equipment in such a way as to demonstrate safe and proper equipment operation.

Next, there’s an equipment inspection that challenges an operator’s ability to perform a pre-trip inspection on the pieces of equipment on which they’ll be competing with. There are several safety and/or mechanical defects that must be identified on the unit inspected from a list of 50 possible defects.

Operators also have to complete a written test that factors into their overall score.

Most importantly, there’s the safety training – this is the primary focus of the roadeo and several safety training breakout sessions were held this year.

Judging from the video above, this year’s event was a good mix of friendly competition and lots of safety training, which is a big benefit to participants.

“The guys can go back and say, ‘hey, there’s something new out there I learned,’” says Highway Operations Manager Ron Curtis. “The more information you get, the better you are.”

ADOT’s Director of Safety and Risk Management Sonya Herrera explains the safety emphasis.

“We had about 419 people who attended training for a total of 703 hours,” she says in the video. “So this really does help make traveling on the state’s roadways, as well as those of our municipal partners, safer.”

Even though there’s a stretch of US 89 that’s not open, the businesses and communities surrounding the closure most definitely are.

That’s the message that area residents, business owners and ADOT are hoping to get out…

“With the busy tourism season coming up, there are a lot of people concerned in Page and the Lake Powell area with how this closure is going to impact their businesses,” says ADOT Public Information Officer Dustin Krugel in the video above. “That’s why we’re doing everything we can to let the public know that Page and the Lake Powell area are open.”

Motorists should know that they can still get to all the popular tourism destinations in the northern part of our state.

Traci Varner, general manager at the Lake Powell Days Inn, says the detour is actually really a pretty drive.

“It’s just a little out of the way, but it’s a beautiful ride,” she says.

It’s also important to note that US 89A is not affected by the closure. So if you’re heading to the Grand Canyon's north rim (when it opens up for the season in mid-May), Fredonia, Lees Ferry or Marble Canyon, the detour won't impact your drive.

So, to sum up … Page and the Lake Powell areas are open for business. And, judging from the video above, they’re all ready for the beautiful season ahead!

We posted a clip on YouTube last week that shows crews demolishing the old Pantano Union Pacific Railroad Bridge. Because it’s a time-lapse video, you can watch all the work being completed in under a minute…

In reality, the effort took a little more time. In fact, work began long before crews and equipment even got to the site. As you can see in the video above, planning started several months in advance of the I-10 closure and bridge demolition.

In addition to holding traffic safety management meetings, ADOT checked in with communities in the area to make everyone aware of the plans. ADOT also met with businesses, alerted the media and activated message signs in preparation of the big event. Communication and coordination were vital to this project’s success.

After all the work (both before and during the bridge demo), lanes on I-10 were opened to traffic as scheduled.

There’s something really simple you can do to help prevent a serious danger out on our highways and roads – want to know what it is?

Move Over (see, we told you it’d be simple).

All we’re asking is that drivers move over one lane to create a safe margin of space when passing by any vehicle on the side of the road with lights flashing – that includes regular passenger vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles. If moving over isn’t possible or safe, we ask that you slow down and drive by with caution.

We want you to do this not only because it’s the law, but because it could help save a life…

Across the nation, a number people killed each year after being struck by a vehicle while on the side of a roadway. These types of crashes kill one tow truck driver every six days; 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer every month and five firefighters every year.

Tow truck drivers, highway workers, paramedics and law enforcement officers are most at risk, but any driver who pulls over for whatever reason – flat tire, no gas, engine trouble, etc. – faces this danger.

Move Over Law
Commonly known as Arizona’s “Move Over” law, ARS 28-775E-1-2 was established in 2005 to reduce injuries and fatalities to law enforcement officers and emergency responders assisting the public. It was enhanced in July 2011 to include ALL vehicles with lights flashing, such as tow trucks, ADOT maintenance vehicles and private vehicles.

Still, those who regularly work on or near our highways say many drivers don’t seem to know about the law.

“Many drivers seemingly have no concept of what they are supposed to do when they drive by a vehicle that is pulled over with flashing lights,” says Tom Donithan, someone with more than 25 years experience with ADOT maintenance. “Increasing awareness about this law for even 10 percent of the drivers on our highways will have a huge, positive impact.”

Move Over Mondays
In order to raise understanding of the law, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers will be enhancing their enforcement every Monday in March starting today. That means on March 11, 18 and 25, DPS officers will be extra watchful for violations of the Move Over law.

Drivers who are pulled over could be cited for the moving violation that comes with a $150+ fine depending on your jurisdiction.

But, like we said above, we don’t want you to move over just because it’s the law or because you’ll be fined (although that should be great motivation to comply). We want all drivers to be aware that the Move Over law is one that aims to save lives, including yours!

So, remember…

• MOVE Over when you see any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of any road or highway.
• SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION if you cannot move over.
• Not obeying the law is a moving violation punishable by fines; worse, you or someone else could be injured or killed.

For more information, visit moveoverAZ.org.

Check out the video above. Not only does it give an up-close look of what’s happening at the US 89 site, it also provides us with a few new, interesting geotechnical terms, including inclinometers, extensometers, LiDAR and DTM....

Inclinometers
If you’ve been reading the blog all this week, you’ll already be familiar with how inclinometers work (if you haven’t, you can catch up). It’s fascinating to see them being used out in the field, don’t you think?

Extensometers
ADOT Deputy State Engineer Steve Boschen says the tool offers “a crude way to measure how much the slope is moving.”

Engineering Geologist Nick Priznar further explains how they function.

“This is a fairly simple device that has a quarter-inch wire that’s anchored at the toe of the slope,” he says in the video above. “It bridges the tension crack and comes up here over the pulley and we have a 30-pound weight and it’s registered to a scale on the side of the tripod. If there’s any relative movement in the direction of the wire, it’s reflected in movement up and down along the side of the scale.”

You can get more views of the extensometer at work.

LiDAR
LiDAR is a three-dimensional laser scanner. The sophisticated surveying instrument has a wide variety of applications.

It’s used regularly for field surveys, but on the US 89 site, LiDAR is being used to help map the landslide.

LiDAR, by the way, stands for Light Detection And Ranging.

DTM
One more term we heard in the video is DTM – digital terrain maps (or models).

Long-time readers of this blog might remember we mentioned DTMs in this post on photogrammetry.

Digital Terrain Maps give engineers a three-dimensional view of what the surface of the ground looks like.

That’s not it...
In the weeks to come, we’ll continue to keep you updated with information on US 89. Look for more videos – and geotechnical terms – in the near future.

By now, many of you have probably already seen photos of US 89 …

A 150-foot section of the road “buckled” yesterday morning (Feb. 20) in an area about 25 miles south of Page – the cause of the highway damage may have been a geologic event.

While it will take a while to assess what happened and figure out how to fix it, we can tell you now that ADOT is currently conducting a geotechnical analysis that will determine the scope of highway repairs to be made.

Once a determination is made, ADOT will utilize emergency contract procedures to restore the highway.

For the foreseeable future, the section of US 89 will remain closed in both directions between US 89A, which takes motorists west toward Jacob Lake, and the US 89 junction with SR 98 in Page.

Motorists will use an alternate route to and from Page while this section of US 89 remains closed. That alternate route detours motorists on US 160 to SR 98, which is about 45 miles longer than the direct route (see map for detour).

Moving forward

ADOT funds will be used to cover the repair costs. At a future date, ADOT will seek reimbursement for the repair costs through the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Repair Program. The reimbursement process does not hinder action to repair the highway.

Keep informed
If you would like to receive email updates on US 89, you can subscribe online.

We will continue to provide updates as information is available here on the blog, on Facebook and on Twitter. As always, drivers can get details on highway and traffic conditions statewide at az511.gov.