News

PHOENIX – Recognizing the importance of Interstate 40 for commercial trucks and travelers, the Arizona Department of Transportation has invested $275.2 million in bridge improvements, pavement projects and other safety-related projects along the 360-mile corridor over the past five years.

Since 2016, ADOT has replaced pavement on about 90 miles of I-40, which includes rebuilding 5 miles of the interstate in each direction near Williams, and repaired, upgraded or replaced 35 bridges along the corridor.

PHOENIX – Drivers southeast of downtown Tucson will see a major step forward in an interchange reconstruction project next week as crews pour the concrete bridge deck on the new Houghton Road structure at Interstate 10.

The concrete work on the bridge comes as the Arizona Department of Transportation reaches the halfway point of a $24.4 million project to rebuild the interchange.

While drivers have experienced several temporary ramp and lane shifts during the project, the concrete pour will allow drivers to see the bridge’s final driving surface come into view.

Wildfire season is one more reason for drivers to use extra care. 

Don’t let your vehicle be the cause of a wildfire. 

As warm, dry weather settles into our state, the Arizona Department of Transportation is urging drivers to use extra care with their vehicles to reduce the chance of igniting a wildfire. 

Motorists should take preventative measures to reduce the risk that a spark from a vehicle or trailer doesn’t result in dry vegetation catching fire. A few tips include:

PHOENIX – Motorists on both directions of Interstate 10 to the west of Willcox should expect a short detour the weekend of May 7-10 for a bridge deck replacement project, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

Both directions of I-10 will close at Exit 336, which will require drivers to detour onto the exit and entrance ramps, from 6 p.m. Friday, May 7 to 6 a.m. Monday, May 10. 

PHOENIX – Robocalls. Scammy text messages. Shady websites.

When it comes to doing business with the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division, ignore all unsolicited communications and avoid online search engines. Instead, go straight to the source at AZMVDNow.gov or ServiceArizona.com. These are legitimate MVD websites and the only ones customers should conduct personal MVD business on.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is replacing the bridge deck of the Post Office Canyon Bridge along SR 73 near the community of Whiteriver in order to extend the life of the bridge.

PHOENIX – Both lanes of traffic are now open on the State Route 77 bridge in Winkelman as the Arizona Department of Transportation nears completion on a $12.6 million project to replace the structure over the Gila River.

Work crews have removed temporary signals that had restricted traffic to a single lane since the bridge replacement project began in late 2019. That traffic configuration allowed ADOT to reconstruct half the bridge at a time without any extended full closures.

PHOENIX – Motorists east of downtown Tucson should plan for a traffic switch on the north side of the Interstate 10/Houghton Road interchange overnight Monday, May 3, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

The work will involve intermittent delays and ramp closures while work crews shift the ramp configuration between 9 p.m., Monday, May 3, and 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 4. 

PHOENIX – Motorists on Interstate 10 eastbound to the west of Willcox should expect a short detour the weekend of April 30-May 3 for a bridge deck replacement project, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

Both directions of I-10 will close at Exit 336, which will require drivers to detour onto the exit and entrance ramps, from 8 p.m. Friday, April 30 to 6 a.m. Monday, May 3. 

PHOENIX – The southbound Interstate 17 on-ramp at Thunderbird Road and off-ramp at Cactus Road will be closed for several months starting Wednesday night, April 28, for an ongoing regional drainage system project.

The southbound I-17 frontage road between Thunderbird and Cactus roads also will be closed as crews continue the installation of pipes to move stormwater in the area.

Drivers should plan on using alternate routes as needed, including other nearby on- and off-ramps at Greenway Road or Peoria Avenue, while the following restrictions are in place:

PHOENIX – On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it was extending the REAL ID full enforcement date from Oct. 1, 2021, to May 3, 2023. The Arizona Travel ID is the REAL ID-compliant credential issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

PHOENIX – Most of us couldn’t imagine being on the job with speeding cars and trucks just feet away zooming past our desk, cubicle or other place of business.

But every day, highway construction and maintenance crews across Arizona face just such potentially dangerous scenarios, especially when many drivers don’t slow down or pay attention in work zones. Sadly, drivers and passengers are even more likely to be killed or seriously injured in work zone crashes.

PHOENIX – A year after it became the primary way for customers to complete Arizona MVD services online, AZMVDNow.gov has reached a major milestone: 2 million AZ MVD Now accounts have been activated.

Millions of Arizonans have discovered the ease and convenience of having access to complete two-thirds of all MVD services on their own schedule. This contactless way of doing business with MVD has been embraced by millions.

PHOENIX – For those planning on visiting the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park near Yarnell this year, the Arizona Department of Transportation reminds visitors not to park illegally along State Route 89, putting themselves and others at risk.

The shoulders of state highways are reserved for emergencies only. Parking along them causes distractions to drivers along the highway and can prevent emergency vehicles from gaining access to those who need help.

The Arizona Department of Transportation cautions drivers that strong winds and blowing dust could impact travel today in southern Arizona, including on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson.

The National Weather Service has issued wind advisory for large areas of the state, which are in effect from late morning until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Travelers in Maricopa and Pinal Counties may encounter wind gusts between 25 to 35 mph, with localized gusts of 40 to 45 mph. These winds have the potential to kick up blowing dust and create difficult or hazardous driving conditions.

PHOENIX – Motorists on Interstate 10 eastbound to the west of Willcox should expect a short detour the weekend of April 23-26 for a bridge deck replacement project, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

Eastbound lanes will close at Exit 336, which will require drivers to detour onto the exit and entrance ramps, from 8 p.m. Friday, April 23, to 6 a.m. Monday, April 26. 

Why is it a big deal? Because highway maintenance dollars saved, to the tune of $235,000, means that taxpayer funds can be used for other Arizona Department of Transportation priorities. More important is the determination of volunteers to Keep It Grand by making Arizona’s highways more appealing for all.

That makes those who commit time and effort to ADOT’s Adopt a Highway program worthy of a big thank you from all Arizonans during National Volunteer Week, which runs through April 24.  

PHOENIX – Motorists should plan for lane restrictions and delays on two sections of Interstate 19 through the end of 2021 as the Arizona Department of Transportation completes two paving projects and bridge work.

While some restrictions and paving have been underway since February, drivers should expect new restrictions by late April on the Sahuarita Road bridge over I-19. Traffic on Sahuarita Road, also known as Helmet Peak, will be reduced to one lane in each direction at I-19 through the fall as crews work to replace the concrete bridge deck.

PHOENIX – With springtime upon us, the Arizona Department of Transportation reopened three White Mountains-area state highways Thursday, April 15, after being closed for the winter.

State Route 261 runs from State Route 260 near Eagar to Big Lake, while State Route 273 goes from SR 260 to Sunrise Park and Big Lake.

State Route 473, runs south from SR 260 on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, to Hawley Lake.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division continues to adapt to changing customer service demands. MVD recently expanded contact center help, added temporary help to assist in the demand for appointments and has steadily increased the number of online self-serve options, including driver license renewals, available to customers at AZMVDNow.gov.

Expanding call center help to the Yuma prison will provide some relief to the high volume of calls MVD receives.