News

PHOENIX – As the Arizona Department of Transportation continues to study the feasibility of a passenger rail line between Phoenix and Tucson, the agency is looking to the public to provide input on the three alternatives that have been selected for further study.

PHOENIX — One year after a landslide forced the closure US 89 south of Page, the Arizona Department of Transportation is gearing up to start construction early summer and potentially complete the emergency repair by the end of this year — if there are no environmental, utility or right-of-way hurdles.

Following an extensive geological investigation into the Feb. 20, 2013 landslide that concluded in July, ADOT has made major strides in accelerating progress on the emergency project.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has released a Request for Information related to the proposal to construct the South Mountain Freeway as a public-private partnership, if the freeway is approved through the ongoing federal environmental process.

PHOENIX – In 2011, the Arizona Department of Transportation created a special overweight commercial truck permit pilot program to efficiently move time-sensitive produce shipments from Mexico across the border into Arizona through the Mariposa Commercial Port of Entry in Nogales. Success with the program in Nogales has now prompted ADOT to expand the program to include the 25-mile commercial zone at the San Luis Port of Entry.

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation marked a year of accomplishments in 2013, including the quick response to a natural catastrophe that damaged US 89 near Page, gathering community input at public meetings on the proposed Interstate 11 corridor linking Phoenix and Las Vegas, and alerting drivers to the state’s “Move Over” law. Here’s a look at the highlights from around the state.

Phoenix-Area Freeways

Loop 303 Improvements

PHOENIX – Arizona’s transportation infrastructure is vital to our mobility and our quality of life. Creating a reliable and sustainable state highway system means making an investment for future generations. Part of that investment involves assessing our current system and evaluating long-term needs.

PHOENIX – The Arizona and Nevada departments of transportation will host a series of five public meetings this month to present the range of alternatives under consideration for the Interstate 11 and Intermountain West Corridor and provide the results of the preliminary analysis.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation’s 14 rest areas will now be managed under one contract under the agency’s first active public-private partnership. The contract, which takes effect Oct. 1, will mean a better experience for travelers at the rest areas, and will generate additional revenue for ADOT that will help fund highway projects.

PHOENIX – A revised Arizona Department of Transportation policy to restrict the issuance of driver licenses and identification cards to certain holders of deferred action immigration documents does not have a harmful effect on immigrants who are crime victims or refugees.

PHOENIX — Drivers headed to Page and the Lake Powell area this Labor Day weekend will have another option when the Arizona Department of Transportation opens the newly paved Temporary US 89 route (US 89T) on Thursday, August 29, albeit with some restrictions.

PHOENIX – Arizona is considered a destination state when it comes to getting around on two wheels. Our state’s ideal weather, new infrastructure and numerous bicycling events continue to lure cyclists from all over the country and around the world to experience riding through Arizona’s scenic landscapes.

PHOENIX — Now that the Arizona Department of Transportation has completed its geotechnical investigation at the site of the Feb. 20 landslide on US 89 south of Page, the agency is sharing the results and its long-term plans to repair the damaged roadway with the public next week.

PHOENIX —After 90-days of public meetings and comment, the window for public comment on the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed South Mountain Freeway will close on July 24.

During this 90-day comment period – twice the length required by federal law – the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have conducted a day-long public hearing and a series of community forums to help residents learn about the proposed project, and submit formal input and questions.

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to study the feasibility of a passenger rail line between Phoenix and Tucson and has now narrowed the list of alternatives down to three.

PHOENIX — Paving has begun on the shorter, future interim detour route for motorists affected by the US 89 landslide closure south of Page, but traveling on Navajo Route 20 is not an option until construction is completed later this summer.

Several vehicles have become stuck in the sand along this 44-mile-long tribal route, which is a mostly dirt road that stretches from Bodaway-Gap to LeChee, and there is limited cell phone coverage in the area. Currently, only local Navajo Nation residents are permitted to travel on N20.

PHOENIX — After months of planning and negotiation, the Navajo Division of Transportation and Arizona Department of Transportation are ready to break ground on a paving project on Navajo Route 20.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the paving of N20 will take place at 11 a.m. on the Navajo Nation (10 a.m. MST in Arizona) on Sunday, June 9 at Tsinaabaas Habitiin Elementary School in Bodaway-Gap. ADOT Deputy Director of Transportation Jennifer Toth will be one of the designated speakers.

On May 28, ADOT officially began construction on N20.

PHOENIX — It’s easy to get out and explore Arizona on two wheels — our state is renowned for its good weather, new infrastructure and beautiful scenery. Those are just some of the reasons that Arizona is ranked number 10 in the country for bicycle friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists in their annual survey. That’s a jump from number 14 in 2012.

PHOENIX — While the Arizona Department of Transportation forges ahead with its geotechnical investigation on the US 89 landslide and works on the long-term solution to restore the damaged highway, the agency is committed to restoring connectivity to the Page and Lake Powell region as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, the State Transportation Board approved funding to pave Navajo Route 20, a Navajo Nation tribal road that runs parallel to US 89, at its monthly meeting April 12 in Tucson.

PHOENIX — The final step to complete ADOT’s geotechnical investigation that will ultimately uncover the best long-term solution to restore the landslide damaged US 89 highway has started.

After receiving environmental clearance, heavy construction began today as crews will cut a pathway down the slope to the base of the mountain slope. The work is expected to take at least two weeks.