News

PHOENIX – Construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway is scheduled to begin in early September after the U.S. District Court in Phoenix dismissed legal challenges and ruled that the Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration completed all steps required to move forward.

SURPRISE – Piece by piece, square foot by square foot, crews working on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s $41.9 million Grand Avenue (US 60)/Bell Road interchange project are building the overpass that will carry Bell Road over Grand Avenue.

Concrete for one part of the Bell Road bridge deck was poured and allowed to set over the weekend of Aug. 13-14. To allow the next stage of that work, Grand Avenue is scheduled to be closed in both directions between Dysart and Litchfield roads from 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29.

PHOENIX – Registering to become an organ donor is as simple as checking a box at the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

Celeste Machiche of Chandler decided to do just that around her 20th birthday. She was known by friends and family as having an infectious smile and generous spirit ‒ and always wearing bright red Chuck Taylors that matched her personality.

PHOENIX – After removing enough dirt and rock to fill more than 38 Olympic-size swimming pools, Arizona Department of Transportation crews have completed scheduled blasting on US 60 east of Superior to clear the way for a quicker, safer route.

In all, about 100,000 pounds of explosives helped crews remove 125,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock to create a westbound passing lane between Oak Flat and Devil’s Canyon. That included removing overhanging rocks that have posed the danger of rockslides during heavy rain.

PHOENIX – New to driving or new to Arizona? Renewing a driver license or getting a 12-year photo update? If you’re planning to visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office for these reasons, you’re among those who may want to consider getting a Voluntary Travel ID – and bringing along the documentation needed to get one.

PHOENIX – An undercover bust of a man accused of selling more than 100 vehicles without a dealer license is a reminder for buyers to be wary and do their homework.

Detectives with the Arizona Department of Transportation cited Daniel Miranda, 35, of Avondale after arranging for a detective to buy a vehicle advertised for sale. Their investigation revealed that Miranda had sold 124 vehicles in the last 11 months without a license. This is known as curbstoning.

SURPRISE – Among all of the progress being made on a $41.9 million overpass and interchange under construction at Grand Avenue (US 60) and Bell Road, perhaps the most noticeable addition of late is the start of retaining walls that will help support the structure.

In addition to continuing to build mechanically stabilized earth walls over the next week, crews are pouring concrete for the bridge deck.

PHOENIX – The Self-Driving Vehicles Oversight Committee, created by Governor Doug Ducey to support research and development of self-driving vehicle technology in Arizona, will hold its first meeting on Monday.

Community members, businesses and other stakeholders are welcome to attend and to provide their input and ideas. The agenda also includes a presentation on autonomous vehicles by John Halikowski, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

PHOENIX – Because of structures the Arizona Department of Transportation has acquired in the future path of the South Mountain Freeway, probationary firefighters with the Rural/Metro Fire Department were able to practice what’s known as a mayday scenario, wearing blacked-out masks to simulate being trapped in a building filled with smoke.

PHOENIX – With an Arizona Cardinals preseason game and a concert scheduled Friday evening in the West Valley, those using Interstate 10 should plan for heavier traffic and budget extra travel time.

Monday’s evening commute also may require a little patience and planning ahead with veteran rockers Guns N’ Roses playing at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Kickoff for the Cardinals game against the Oakland Raiders is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix. The Guns N’ Roses concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.

PHOENIX ‒ With thunderstorms occurring in southern Arizona and extreme weather possible elsewhere in the state, drivers should leave prepared and be ready to wait out heavy rain, high winds and blowing dust.

The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for a strong chance of rain and thunderstorms through at least Wednesday evening. Before driving on highways, review the Arizona Department of Transportation’s monsoon-safety tips at PullAsideStayAlive.org.

SURPRISE – A $41.9 million overpass and interchange under construction at Grand Avenue (US 60) and Bell Road will add concrete to the bridge deck in the coming week.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will close Grand Avenue in both directions from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, until 5 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, for the deck pour. During that time, traffic will detour at Dysart and Litchfield roads.

PHOENIX - After a spectacularly strong monsoon dumped 1.5 inches of rain on northern Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs in just 15 minutes, it was no surprise that mud and rocks had covered US 89A.

But when Arizona Department of Transportation crews arrived on that day in August 2015, what they saw stopped their bulldozers in their tracks: boulders the size of elephants – 15 feet in diameter – and mud in seven different slides that covered portions of 24 miles of the only road across a wide area north of the Grand Canyon.

PHOENIX – With construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway scheduled to begin later this summer, several city of Phoenix roadways along the 22-mile corridor are now officially part of the state highway system.

As of this week, the South Mountain Freeway right of way has the designation State Route 202, meaning roadways in that area are now controlled by the Arizona Department of Transportation. That’s the result of an Arizona State Transportation Board resolution developed in cooperation with the city of Phoenix and Maricopa County.

SURPRISE – Grand Avenue (US 60) traffic has been switched to newly constructed westbound lanes at Bell Road in the latest milestone for an Arizona Department of Transportation project connecting the roadways with an overpass and interchange.

PHOENIX – Football and traffic safety might not appear to have much in common. But the two converge at a critical connection: protection.

Consider that the safety gear worn by football players has the same purpose as a seat belt – help the wearer survive a violent collision.

PHOENIX – The numbers speak volumes about Arizona’s interest in the proposed Interstate 11: Six public meetings held recently attracted 540 community members who shared comments and questions. Hundreds more offered their perspectives online.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Interstate 11 study team visited Casa Grande, Buckeye, Nogales, Tucson, Marana and Wickenburg to involve the community in a process known as public scoping, part of an environmental study to select a corridor alternative between Nogales and Wickenburg.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division continues to expand its reach with two more courthouses in Glendale and Pima County receiving ServiceArizona kiosks. These kiosks make it easier for Arizonans to conduct business without visiting an MVD office.

PHOENIX – Because a title establishes who owns and has liens on a vehicle, altering titles is a common way that criminals defraud those purchasing used vehicles in private sales.

That’s why it’s worth noting that in late May, when a robbery occurred at an Authorized Third Party motor vehicle services business in Phoenix, the suspect made off not with cash but with 1,300 blank vehicle titles. That case remains under investigation.

PHOENIX – With monsoon season underway, drivers should expect the possibility that strong winds will kick up dust and limit visibility. When that happens, the Arizona Department of Transportation has some straightforward advice: Pull Aside, Stay Alive.

If a dust storm approaches, try to exit the freeway if you can do so safely. If you’re caught in blowing dust, follow these safety tips from PullAsideStayAlive.org: