News

NOGALES – A public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 31, is a chance for the community to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for a project to improve State Route 189 between the international border, Interstate 19 and Grand Avenue. 

Scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Nogales High School, 1905 N. Apache Blvd., the hearing begins with a presentation at 5:45 p.m., followed by a formal comment period.

PHOENIX – To reduce traffic backups from crashes, congestion and other incidents along Interstate 17 north of Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Transportation is evaluating options that include the possibility of reversible lanes on the grade between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point.

PHOENIX – When a highway closes or you’re just looking for possible routes, it’s natural to consult a navigation app or GPS unit. But drivers need to apply common sense to a computer’s suggestions, starting with not taking buses and other vehicles that aren’t up to the task down unpaved roads.

PHOENIX – Over the past year, the Arizona Department of Transportation asked the public and agencies to share their ideas, comments and concerns about the Interstate 11 environmental study from Nogales to Wickenburg. A summary of comments is now available and will help ADOT select and evaluate corridor alternatives for further study.

From the ADOT Blog ...

A year ago today, an ADOT traffic camera found a precious little dog holding onto a freeway median wall for dear life.

Today, life is good for Dottie – and her six puppies.

Arizona Department of Transportation operators watched as the pooch ran through rush hour traffic on northbound State Route 51 near Shea Boulevard, jumped onto the median wall and sat there, seemingly too scared to move.

PHOENIX – Ordering a veteran specialty license plate no longer requires standing in line at an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office. With the introduction of a new electronic affidavit system to verify a veteran’s status, plates may now be ordered at ServiceArizona.com, skipping the office visit.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun the process of updating its goal for the percentage value of federal-aid contract dollars won by firms certified for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

To do so, the agency has retained Keen Independent Research to develop a draft study on the availability of disadvantaged business enterprises in Arizona. This availability study will be completed in May and released for public review and comment along with ADOT’s proposed participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises.

PHOENIX – Information is power for those whose commutes and daily routines intersect with construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has made it easy to get email and text alerts that will help you save time. Just visit SouthMountainFreeway.com and click the orange button that reads “Sign up for traffic alerts now!” Each week, you’ll receive a list of lane restrictions and closures in the works so you can plan accordingly.

PHOENIX – Trucking companies should be on alert for an individual impersonating an Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement and Compliance Division officer.

Earlier this month, a man identifying himself as an officer with ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division contacted a Mesa-based trucking company saying one of its trucks was damaged in a crash and that the company needed to send payment for a mechanic called out to make repairs.

Inconsistencies in the suspect’s story led the company’s operations manager to suspect a scam.

PHOENIX – Drivers should be prepared for blowing dust and reduced visibility along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The National Weather Service says gusty winds were recorded in the Casa Grande area today and the Department of Public Safety reported areas of blowing dust crossing I-10 southeast of Phoenix.

Dust along portions of I-10 is just one of a number of weather-related issues motorists may encounter across the state due to the third in a series of winter storms in recent days.

PHOENIX – Sections of State Route 51 (Piestewa Freeway) in Phoenix are scheduled to be closed overnight on Monday and Tuesday evenings (Jan. 23-24) while crews install new traffic-flow sensors, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Planned restrictions are subject to change due to inclement weather.

 Drivers should consider alternate routes, including southbound Interstate 17 or 16th and 24th streets, while the following SR 51 closures are in place:

PHOENIX ‒ Planning a trip to play in the snow Sunday? Leave prepared for heavy traffic around popular snow-play sites and the potential for more winter weather to arrive as early as Sunday afternoon. 

Highway conditions can deteriorate quickly during severe weather as snow accumulates and drivers struggle, and closures can happen suddenly and be prolonged.

PHOENIX ‒ With the worst of back-to-back winter storms yet to come, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplow operators are working 12-hour shifts to keep highways open. 

In some cases, other drivers are making that difficult job even tougher.

On Thursday afternoon, an SUV struck a snowplow working on State Route 89A between Prescott Valley and Jerome (as shown in the photo). Everyone was OK – though the SUV was severely damaged – but ADOT lost precious time clearing that route.

PHOENIX – With back-to-back snowstorms bearing down on Arizona, know what you’re driving into before heading to the high country.

Highway conditions can deteriorate quickly during severe weather as snow accumulates and drivers struggle, and closures can happen suddenly and be prolonged. If enough snow falls, the Arizona Department of Transportation may close lesser-used highways while snowplows address busier routes.

HOLBROOK – An Arizona Department of Transportation project to prevent falling rocks will close one lane of westbound Interstate 40 near Joseph City, just west of Holbrook, on weekdays through March.

This week, workers began using heavy equipment to break up and haul away an estimated 45,000 tons of rocks, dirt and clay from an eroding slope just north of the roadway.

While a temporary concrete barrier is preventing rocks from falling into travel lanes, this safety project offers a permanent solution.

PHOENIX – With two winter storms forecast to blanket Arizona’s high country with as much as 24 inches of snow between Thursday and Saturday, motorists should be prepared for hazardous driving conditions, delays and possible highway closures – and consider delaying travel during the worst weather.

PHOENIX – Construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway remains on track with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting the Gila River Indian Community’s motion for an injunction pending appeal.

The order, released Friday, means work can proceed on the South Mountain Freeway while an appeal by freeway opponents is pending before the 9th Circuit in San Francisco. It’s the fifth time courts have rejected attempts to halt construction of this long-planned link between the East Valley and West Valley.

From John Halikowski, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation:

"We at ADOT join Governor Doug Ducey, our colleagues at the Arizona Department of Public Safety and all Arizonans in praying for the recovery of the Arizona State Trooper wounded in today’s incident on Interstate 10 west of Phoenix.

"Arizona State Troopers are heroes who keep our highways safe. All Arizonans owe them a debt of gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice."

PHOENIX – With light snow in the forecast heading into a long weekend, winter recreation areas along US 180 near Flagstaff are likely to attract heavy traffic that leads to delays.

Those planning to visit snow-play areas along US 180 over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend should leave prepared to spend extended time in winter weather – and to face traffic backlogs getting back to Flagstaff that increase as the day goes on.

NOGALES – A project creating recovery zones for motorists using Interstate 19 will require daily lane closures while Arizona Department of Transportation crews remove trees and woody vegetation within 30 feet of travel lanes.

The project, designed to give drivers whose vehicles leave the roadway a better opportunity to stop safely, has begun near Nogales and is expected to reach Tucson by the end of March.