PHOENIX – Renewing a standard Arizona driver license and a commercial driver license can now be completed with a few clicks on a website.

As Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order on deferring standard driver license expiration dates ends on Feb. 28, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is giving many Arizonans the ability to renew their driver license online. Previously, renewals could only be processed during an office visit.

“Most Arizonans with a standard driver license must renew their license when they turn 65 years of age and every five years thereafter,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “During the pandemic, ADOT wants to continue Governor Ducey’s efforts to help protect our most vulnerable and we’re pleased to be able to offer a contactless renewal option so people can continue making healthy choices.”

An in-office visit will be required to renew a standard Arizona driver license if an individual’s photo of record was taken more than 12 years prior to renewal, but most Arizonans will be able to renew their driver license without visiting an MVD office. Driver license-holders can log-in to their account at AZMVDNow.gov to see their eligibility for online renewal.

To renew a CDL online at AZMVDNow.gov, an individual’s address must remain the same, a valid primary document is on file with MVD and their current credential must be in good standing. CDL holders with a hazmat endorsement will not be able to renew their license online.

This new, streamlined renewal option was made possible, in large part, when MVD implemented a state-of-the-art computer operating system last spring. That change replaced an obsolete system that contained elements that were older than 35 years and no longer sustainable. The new system has made it possible for MVD to offer customers the ability to complete most services online at AZMVDNow.gov, eliminating the need to visit an MVD office for many Arizonans.

“We’ve all seen a lot of change over the last year, but this is something new that everyone can embrace,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “The website AZMVDNow.gov has added convenience for customers and made it easier for Arizonans to conduct their business with MVD. Adding driver license renewals to the long list of other services, like registration renewals, change of address and ordering a replacement license, will help keep Arizonans out of line and safely on the road.”

When renewing online, an individual’s official driver record will be updated with the new expiration date in the MVD system when the application and payment are submitted electronically. 

When it comes time to renew a driver license, individuals can follow the below steps to renew online.

• Go to AZMVDNow.gov and sign-in to your account. If you need to activate your account – everyone with an Arizona driver license has an account – follow those steps.
• After logging in, select “Renew Now” in the “My Credential” section and follow the instructions.
• Allow about 15 days for processing and mail delivery of your new driver license.

PHOENIX – When many school children started staying home when the pandemic hit last year, the Arizona Department of Transportation launched a new outreach campaign called “ADOT Kids,” which seeks to educate children on transportation through videos, games and activities geared for them. 

With National Engineers Week being recognized this week, ADOT Kids has launched new content to get children interested in engineering as a career, including videos and activities to help kids learn about different areas of engineering. Part of the content includes Joselyn Valero, a development engineer with ADOT, who shares her story in a video to encourage kids to pursue engineering careers.

“I always loved math and I wanted to be where math is a big part of it. The idea of building a bridge or a skyscraper fascinated me,” Valero said.  

ADOT Kids piques children’s natural curiosity in how things work and what makes things go with fun, interactive, educational activities to encourage future engineers. ADOT Kids teaches students about careers in engineering and supports schools’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives.

The program was recognized by the National Academies for Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Transportation Research Board at its annual meeting in January. It also won the 14th Annual Communicating Concepts with John and Jane Q. Public Competition which showcases creative and fresh ways of communicating technical transportation issues with a general audience.

Snowplows, bridges, litter, dust storms and safety messages are among topics explored since ADOT Kids launched in April 2020 when schools switched to remote learning because of COVID-19.  

ADOT staff creates all ADOT Kids interactive educational content, including the ADOT Kids website, azdot.gov/ADOTKids, featuring cartoon characters, games, photos, videos and Zoom video backgrounds of large equipment and Arizona landscapes. 

ADOT Kids is searchable on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #ADOTKids. Special contests like creating chalk art drawings and writing safety messages are occasionally featured on ADOT’s social media accounts using this hashtag. 

For more information, visit azdot.gov/ADOTKids.

PHOENIX – Drivers can expect delays along an 11-mile stretch State Route 87 between Payson and Pine this week while Arizona Department of Transportation crews clean up litter that has built up along the highway.

SR 87 will be restricted to one lane with alternating north- and southbound traffic from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, through Thursday, Feb. 25. Drivers should expect delays and intermittent stops while flaggers direct traffic through the work zone between mileposts 255 and 266.

Drivers should slow down, watch for personnel and obey all traffic signs.

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced $230 million in new transportation infrastructure investments that will enhance highway safety and meet the demand of new residents moving to Arizona. 

“Despite the pandemic, Arizona’s economy is strong and families and businesses continue to relocate here in record numbers,” said Governor Ducey. “Now is the right time to use our state and federal dollars to make investments that create jobs, modernize our infrastructure, and improve highway safety."

The funding comes from transportation dollars, including higher than anticipated revenue amid Arizona’s strong economic recovery, and federal COVID-relief funds.

The projects include: 

• $33 million to rebuild and widen the Gila River Bridge on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson, paving the way for a full expansion of I-10 between the two cities; 
• $41 million to widen U.S. Route 93 north of Wickenburg; 
• $40 million to add capacity to Interstate 17 north of metro Phoenix; and 
• $117 million to improve more than 600 highway lane-miles across the state. 

The funding plan is in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and follows formal action last week by ADOT’s Priority Planning Advisory Committee. The proposal now will go before the State Transportation Board for consideration at its Feb. 19 meeting.

The I-10 Gila River Bridge is the first step in completing the widening of a key commerce corridor between Phoenix and Tucson. The project will rebuild and widen the I-10 bridge to three lanes in each direction over the Gila River and open opportunities to further widen I-10 in both directions. That project will start construction in 2022.

Road improvements will address rough conditions on more than 600 lane-miles of highways around the state, with nearly 400 of those lane-miles located in rural counties. These 19 projects are expected to be complete in 2022 and will reduce long-term maintenance costs and enhance safety.

“This funding plan outlined by Governor Ducey and ADOT prioritizes Arizona’s most immediate transportation needs and opens opportunities for future expansion,” said State Transportation Board Chairman Steve Stratton, who represents Pinal, Gila, and Graham counties. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members to put this plan to work.” 

The projects will be funded with $150.3 million of COVID-19 relief monies allocated to the state and $80 million in state transportation funds, including revenue that exceeded earlier revenue projections. As part of the plan, Maricopa County and Pima County regions will receive $31.3 million for transportation investments through the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act.

“ADOT is an agency focused on getting everyone Safely Home. That’s not just something we say; it’s our true north as a department,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “These projects—enhancing mobility on I-10 and creating lasting improvements to some of our highways statewide—underscore that commitment to the public and meeting their needs. These projects will support continued economic growth and are designed to address some of our most pressing transportation needs.”

Arizona’s population grew by nearly 120,700 people from July 2018 to July 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released in December 2019. 

Funding from the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act is part of a $900 billion stimulus plan approved by Congress in 2020.

PHOENIX – Are you in the market for a new-to-you car? Thinking of selling your vehicle in a private-party sale?

Whether you’re a prospective buyer or a seller – or both – the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants consumers to know steps they can take to protect themselves when selling or purchasing a used vehicle.

First, go to AZMVDNow.gov and activate your AZ MVD Now account. Everything needed to complete a typical private-party sale of a vehicle can be completed at AZMVDNow.gov, even the transfer of some vehicle titles via the convenient eTitle Transfer. Every person with an Arizona-issued driver license or vehicle registered in Arizona already has an account and more than 1.5 million accounts have been activated since AZMVDNow.gov launched last spring.

If you’re a buyer, you’ll want to ensure that there are no surprises in the vehicle’s history. An unscrupulous seller might tamper with the odometer, sell a stolen vehicle, attempt to cover up water or collision damage that wasn’t properly repaired or not disclose a lien. ADOT offers a variety of resources customers can use to gather information about a vehicle they’re interested in purchasing.

While buyers do most of their leg-work prior to purchase, the work for sellers in a private-party transaction comes after a price has been agreed upon. After receiving payment, a seller should sign-in to their account at AZMVDNow.gov and complete a “sold notice.” There is no cost to complete a sold notice and it can protect the seller if the car sold is involved in a crash or crime, is ticketed, or becomes abandoned, which carries a fine.

Transferring the title comes next and some titles can be transferred at AZMVDNow.gov via eTitle Transfer, saving a trip to an MVD office. A seller should be aware that if their vehicle was titled and owned in another state prior to moving to Arizona, it’s probable that the Arizona MVD will not have a copy of the vehicle title because it didn’t issue the title. In this case, the seller can sign the back of the title and have the signature notarized.

Before giving the car to the buyer, remove the license plate. The seller might be eligible to receive credit for registration fees previously paid on the vehicle, too.

Buying and selling a vehicle is a big purchase. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take your time and consult this car-buying checklist to protect yourself.

PHOENIX – A forecasted snowstorm and a long weekend is a great excuse to head north for some snowplay. Too often, however, a vehicle full of people heading to play in the snow winds up parked on the shoulder of a state highway or even Interstate 17 rather than pulled safely into a designated parking area well off the road. This creates a hazard for more than just the occupants. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation reminds those heading to play in the snow that highway shoulders are for emergencies only and that parking on them to play in the snow is hazardous in a number of ways:

• Other drivers may be distracted by your vehicle.
• Other drivers may pull over as well to play in the snow, compounding the problem.
• Your vehicle may interfere with first responders who need to use the shoulder.
• Plows can throw snow and ice far off highways.
• It’s much safer to re-enter highways from on-ramps and other designated entrances.

These dangers apply along highways other than interstates, including US 180 northwest of Flagstaff, where desert dwellers often go after it snows. Those who park on highway shoulders to play, even in areas where traffic may seem light, are endangering themselves and others. Locations of designated snow-play areas are available at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Recreation Map link). There’s also a hotline at 844.256.SNOW.

Also, remember to pack your patience and expect to spend extended time in your vehicle getting to and from snow play areas as lots of people typically head north after it snows.

It’s also important to leave prepared before heading north to play in the snow. ADOT’s suggestions of items to have in a vehicle include warm clothing and blankets, a fully charged mobile phone and charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, drinking water, healthy snacks, a first-aid kit and necessary medications. Get plenty of rest, plan your route and take frequent breaks from driving.

Make sure your gas tank is at least half to three-quarters full at all times, and ensure that your wipers, window defroster, headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals work. 

To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information website at az511.gov or call 511. ADOT’s Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (/AZDOT) are excellent sources of information and interaction.

Get more safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

PHOENIX – Motorists traveling US 191 north of Morenci should plan for about 7 weeks of overnight road closures starting Tuesday, Feb. 16, for repairs to a rock tunnel.

The closures are scheduled each Monday through Saturday night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. During those hours, no vehicles will be allowed to pass through an area just north of Morenci between mileposts 169 and 171.

The overnight closures will affect motorists traveling between Morenci and Alpine. Drivers who plan to travel during the closures will need to take US 191 south from Morenci to Three Way, follow State Route 78 east into New Mexico to US 180, and follow US 180 north to Alpine.

PHOENIX – A new feature added to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information 511 website will help commercial vehicle drivers more easily plan their route through the state.  

This new feature at az511.gov allows truck drivers to see commercial vehicle restrictions along state highways. This way, they can plan their route to avoid those restrictions. Click on the ‘Map Legend’ box on the right-hand side of the screen and check the box next to ‘Truck Restrictions’ to bring up the truck restriction icons on the map. Clicking on an icon will show details including length and width restrictions and any escort requirements.

This is the latest ADOT innovation that helps professional truck drivers. Last summer, ADOT added a feature to the 511 website to show the total number of commercial vehicle parking spaces at each of ADOT’s rest areas so truckers can find a place to rest. 

Also last year, ADOT expanded the number of truck parking spaces along I-40 by nearly 100 spaces at the Haviland and Meteor Crater rest areas.

Nearly 2.4 million users have accessed az511.gov since the redesigned website launched in March 2019. More than 76,000 visited the site during the recent snowstorms at the end of January. For more information, please visit az511.gov and azdot.gov.

PHOENIX – About 19 miles of Interstate 19 near the communities of Sahuarita and Tubac will be resurfaced in 2021 with a layer of rubberized asphalt, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The improvements are planned in two areas, including on a roughly 8-mile segment of I-19 between Pima Mine and Duval Mine roads in the communities of Green Valley and Sahuarita. That $12.1 million project includes replacing the bridge deck at Sahuarita Road, also known as Helmet Peak Road. At the same time, a $17.2 million project will improve nearly 11 miles of pavement between Tubac and Arivaca Road.

While drivers can look forward to an improved surface  on I-19 by the end of the year, motorists should plan ahead for additional travel time on this busy highway that links Tucson to Nogales.

Preliminary work is already underway on the projects, with paving and restrictions scheduled to begin on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the U.S. Border Patrol station north of Tubac. The work at the Border Patrol station is expected to take several weeks as crews replace the asphalt pavement with concrete. Drivers should expect delays during paving operations.

Also starting Feb. 11, southbound I-19 will be narrowed to one lane near the Border Patrol station for about two months. Motorists should expect delays.

Both projects will include new guardrail along with new signs and lane stripes.

Drivers heading through the work zones should budget extra travel time and expect delays while being guided through the alternating lane closures. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph in limited cases.

The projects are expected to be completed by early 2022. For more information about the projects visit, Helmet Peak Traffic Interchange at Sahuarita Road/Interstate 19 Pima Mine to Duval Mine Road and I-19 Tubac to Arivaca.

One of the most unique publications in the world, the ADOT-published Arizona Highways magazine, is offering student photographers a rare chance to have a nature photo published in an upcoming issue.

The publication, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and COX Communications, is sponsoring the 2021 Adventures in Nature Student Photo Contest, which is open to Arizona students between the ages of 13 and 18. 

The competition is open through Friday, April 16, and winners will be announced on May 6. Submissions of high-resolution nature photos must be submitted via www.arizonahighways.com.

A total of $10,000 in cash prizes await the top 10 winners and the overall winning entry will be published in Arizona Highways, which is renowned for its outstanding images taken by world-famous photographers.

Contestants can find more information on submission requirements at www.arizonahighways.com or www.nature.org/arizona.