South Mountain Freeway

History abounds on the walls of Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:00:00 +0000

History abounds on the walls of Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway

[email protected] Wed, 01/06/2021 - 09:00

How do you pick a single theme for beautifying the 22-mile Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway?

That was the question facing the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Roadside Development Section once work began on the new $2 billion freeway, which today provides a much needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix.

After considerable discussion, the answer was, you don’t.

“This was the largest project we have ever done,” said Joseph Salazar, project team leader for ADOT's Landscape Architecture and Aesthetics. “We wanted to show a diversity of ideas, multiple themes reflecting different areas.”

As ADOT recently commemorated the one-year anniversary of the opening of the freeway, Salazar described the different art ideas along the bridges, sound walls and landforms of the ambitious project.

If diversity was sought, it was found in forms ranging from Hohokam images to geometric stripes in brilliant hues of green, red and yellow. Simple shapes reflect the area’s landscape, animals, history and vegetation. Bold angles and lines signify the more urban nature as the freeway turns toward downtown Phoenix. You can see a sampling of all these designs in the Flickr album to the right.

Working along with the project team were artists from the Cosanti and Frank Lloyd Wright foundations, as well as others.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence in the freeway's Ahwatukee section stems from the 1920s Ocotillo camp, near what is now 32nd Street, where Wright produced designs for a desert resort that was never built due to the 1929 stock market crash.

“The architectural camp site still exists, but all of the buildings are gone,” Salazar said.

The walls of Wright’s camp featured horizontal lines echoing the desert floor and long horizons, so freeway sound walls in that area have horizontal lines, in contrast to vertical lines on other Valley freeways.

Symmetrical waves with curling tops march in a pattern against a red background near the Salt River. Toward Laveen, two-toned green leaves with “Arcosanti leaf portals” harken to the agricultural areas of Laveen, Salazar said.

“Once you cross the Salt River Bridge, we see the urban link pattern that represents the urbanization of the Valley and the urban link of the I-10 coming together with Loop 202, the two highways coming together,” he said.

As you drive along the one-year-old freeway, consider how the artwork represents agriculture, urbanization, the Salt and Gila rivers, Paolo Saleri and Frank Lloyd Wright.

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By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

South Mountain Freeway marks first anniversary

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:02:02 +0000

South Mountain Freeway marks first anniversary

[email protected] Mon, 12/21/2020 - 12:02

For Immediate Release: Dec. 21, 2020
Contact: ADOT Public Information Office
[email protected]">[email protected]

South Mountain Freeway marks first anniversary
State’s largest freeway construction project opened in December 2019

PHOENIX – Just one year ago the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opened to great fanfare, with a grand opening ceremony led by Governor Doug Ducey and other Arizona leaders a few days before it was opened to traffic on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019.

It’s first year, like many other things during the year of the pandemic, has been much quieter.

A year since the freeway’s opening, the 22-mile South Mountain Freeway provides an alternate route for drivers traveling from one side of the Phoenix area to the other who want to avoid potential congestion in the downtown area. It was the final piece of the Loop 101 and 202 freeway system that circles the Phoenix area.

The freeway has received positive feedback from drivers and businesses for providing a faster, simpler route across the Valley.

With many people working from home, traffic on the freeway has been lighter than expected in the first year. At the beginning of December 2020, nearly 60,000 vehicles were using the freeway each day, about half of the projected traffic. Valleywide, freeways experienced a 50% drop in traffic in mid-2020, and have rebounded to carry about 75-85% of normal traffic in recent months.

The lighter traffic also has delayed the use of ramp meters on some on-ramps in the West Valley. Ramp meters have been installed at seven locations but they have not been activated.

Ramp meters are located on southbound entrance ramps at Van Buren Street and Buckeye, Broadway and Baseline roads, and northbound at Buckeye and Lower Buckeye roads and Southern Avenue.

Work on the freeway itself was completed in October 2020 with the opening of an interchange at 32nd Street and a 6-mile shared-use path. Work continues on some surface streets adjacent to the freeway throughout the corridor.

Using an innovative public-private partnership for the state’s largest-ever highway project, ADOT was able to open the 22-mile freeway three years earlier than if it had been built as a series of traditional projects. The agreement also allowed ADOT to deliver the $1.7 billion South Mountain Freeway at a cost savings of more than $100 million.

This was Arizona’s first highway project built using a public-private partnership, which combined design, construction and maintenance in a single contract. Connect 202 Partners, the developer chosen for the project, will maintain the South Mountain Freeway for the next 30 years under the agreement.

The South Mountain Freeway has long been part of the region’s transportation plans. It was funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

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Shared-use path along Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 13:18:10 +0000

Shared-use path along Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens

[email protected] Fri, 10/30/2020 - 06:18

PHOENIX – The final major pieces of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway - a 6-mile shared-use path and an interchange at 32nd Street added at the request of area residents - are now open.

The shared-use path, which runs from 40th Street on the east to 17th Avenue on the west, is designed to provide a place for people to exercise outdoors along the former Pecos Road alignment.

The path follows the area’s rolling terrain and is separated from the freeway by both distance and a fence. Users can access the path at any of these interchanges - 40th, 32nd and 24th streets, Desert Foothills Parkway and 17th Avenue - and follow crosswalks and obey traffic signals to reach the path safely.

The path is limited to only non-motorized uses, including walking, dog walking, running, bicycling and skateboarding. Motorized scooters and similar vehicles are prohibited for safety reasons. There is a yellow stripe down the center of the path for user safety.

The city of Phoenix will maintain the shared-use path now that it’s open.

The interchange at 32nd Street was added at the request of neighbors after plans for the freeway were complete. Construction on both the path and the interchange began after the freeway opened to traffic in December 2019.

The 22-mile South Mountain Freeway provides an alternate route for drivers traveling from one side of the Phoenix area to the other who want to avoid potential congestion in downtown Phoenix.

Shared-use path frequently asked questions.

20-220-Shared-use-path-FAQ.pdf

Document

20-220-Shared-use-path-FAQ.pdf

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New view of the South Mountain Freeway

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:20:00 +0000

New view of the South Mountain Freeway

[email protected]">CCarpenter2@az… Tue, 10/06/2020 - 10:20

Just before the new year, we opened the 22-mile long South Mountain Freeway. Now, we can show it off with our traffic cameras! AZ511.gov now displays 20 cameras along the South Mountain Freeway.

Most of the cameras are at major exits along the route. The freeway isn't completely done and a few more cameras will come online once it's completed. If you regularly travel the Loop 202, you'll want to set up a personalized account on az511.gov so you can see the cameras along your route. If you just want to check out all of our cameras, you can visit az511.gov and make sure "Cameras" is checked on the menu on the right.

As you probably know, ADOT uses traffic cameras to help manage traffic. When the ADOT Traffic Operations Center is notified of a freeway incident, dispatchers use our camera system to search for the incident. Once it's spotted, appropriate personnel are dispatched. Often Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers will be dispatched for a crash, but you may see a sweeper sent out to clean debris from the freeway or an ADOT Incident Response Unit helping set up traffic control.

Once you check the new cameras, let us know how you like them on Twitter at azdot.gov/ArizonaDOT. If you mostly access information using your mobile device, you can also see our cameras by downloading the AZ 511 app.

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By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Shared input on the South Mountain Freeway's shared-used path

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Shared input on the South Mountain Freeway's shared-used path

[email protected]">drookhuyzen@az… Fri, 09/04/2020 - 09:00

The other morning, before the summer sun made it too hot, about 10 people met just south of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway at 40th Street. In about two months that spot will become the eastern end of a shared-use path along what used to be Pecos Road.

Four people were on bicycles, including three local cyclists and a representative of the city of Phoenix. The rest were engineers and others from the Arizona Department of Transportation, which is building the path.

The cyclists led the group slowly down the 6 miles of the path, from 40th Street to 17th Avenue, getting feedback from representatives of the bicycle community. The others, me included, followed behind in trucks, taking lots of notes and photos.

We stopped at 32nd Street to examine how cyclists and others will safely cross the road - the only place along the route where the path crosses an open street. Riders pointed out a few areas in the pavement that need to be repaired. We looked at Desert Foothills Parkway and 17th Avenue to see how people will access the path at the diverging diamond interchanges.

At each point, construction manager Julie Gadsby and other engineers listened to the cyclists’ input and discussed possible ways to address them. We spent more than an hour covering the entire 6 miles.

Compared with a 22-mile, $1.7 billion freeway, the shared-use path might seem like a small thing. It will be about 20 feet wide, with a stripe down the center to separate cyclists from other users, tucked in between the freeway to the north and the Gila River Indian Community to the south. But, like in many communities, bike paths and other active infrastructure provide convenient, safe opportunities for recreation and exercise in our beautiful Arizona outdoors.

ADOT leaders have met with Ahwatukee-area residents with an interest in the path several times over the course of the last few years. Our engineers have listened to their input, working together for solutions that work not only for the cyclists but for the walkers, skaters and others who will take advantage of the path once it opens this fall.

On every project, ADOT listens to people who live, work and travel in the area to understand the impact our work will have on their lives, and then develops solutions that accommodate for as many people as possible.

There were a few other cyclists on the path with us that morning, out for a little exercise. The only problem with that: The path is not yet open. With construction equipment still out there, working on the 32nd Street interchange, the path is not a safe place for cycling, walking, skating or running just yet. Please be patient and wait for our work to be done so we can safely open the path. We are targeting an October opening, and look forward to letting you know when the path is ready for everyone to enjoy.

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Byline

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

From the Director: ADOT earns a trio of regional awards

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:28:36 +0000

From the Director: ADOT earns a trio of regional awards

[email protected]">drookhuyzen@az… Fri, 08/21/2020 - 11:28

The entertainment industry has its annual awards that showcase “the best of” in movies and TV shows. The transportation industry is no different as we have annual awards programs that recognize transportation projects that are making a difference in communities across the country. I am pleased to announce the Arizona Department of Transportation recently received three regional awards in the 2020 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and AAA, America’s Transportation Awards showcases transportation projects delivered by state departments of transportation and tells the story of the importance of transportation to our communities. With 79 projects nominated nationwide in three categories, the competition was fierce.

Under the category “Best Use of Technology and Innovation – Large Project,” ADOT won for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway project. As our first public-private freeway project in ADOT’s history and the state’s largest single highway project at $2 billion total, the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway project is the final leg of the loop transportation system in the metropolitan Phoenix area that connects the West Valley to the East Valley. Using the P3 method, we built the freeway as a single project and saved nearly $100 million. We are already witnessing the economic development opportunities in the area and reduction in commute times for drivers.

Under the category “Quality of Life/Community Development – Small Project,” ADOT tied for first place with the State Route 347 at Union Pacific Railroad project. We built a six-lane divided overpass with raised medians and sidewalks to carry traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians over the railroad track in the City of Maricopa. Now, the community doesn’t have to wait for trains to pass by on its main north-south corridor. The City of Maricopa is reaping the benefits of the project with shortened emergency response times and construction has begun on several commercial projects. Most importantly, drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists can safely travel on this major corridor without delay due to train traffic.

Under the category “Operations Excellence – Medium Project,” ADOT tied for first place again with the I-10/SR 87 Improvement Project with Dust Detection System. This project added a travel lane in each direction on a four-mile stretch of Interstate 10. We also built a modern interchange at SR 87 with two lanes in each direction plus turn lanes and traffic signals over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. But, the cornerstone of the project is the installation of a first-in-its-kind dust detection and warning system. Blinding dust storms in the area between Tucson and Phoenix have been a safety concern to us for years. The dust detection system is helping us improve safety for the traveling public.

As a regional winner, our projects will be considered for the next phase of the nationwide competition, making it into the “Top 12” list. These 12 projects compete for the two top prizes – the Grand Prize, chosen by an independent panel of judges, and the People’s Choice Award which is determined by the public through online voting this fall.

I applaud the men and women at ADOT who design, build and maintain a transportation system that ensures we meet our True North, Safely Home. And thank you as well to the many stakeholders involved in these award-winning projects. Receiving the recognition by our peers in transportation makes me very proud and validates the outstanding work we do for the people of Arizona.

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Byline

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Patience please for South Mountain's shared-use path

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Patience please for South Mountain's shared-use path

[email protected]">drookhuyzen@az… Wed, 08/19/2020 - 09:00

Families taking a stroll together as the sun sets behind the Estrella Mountains.

Teams of runners training on the rolling hills along the route that used to be Pecos Road.

People on bicycles on a leisurely ride, enjoying the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

We envisioned all of that when we began planning the shared-use path that runs along the south side of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway between 40th Street and 17th Avenue in Ahwatukee. We just want to make sure all that fun would take place after we finished building the path.

We began construction just eight months ago, after the freeway opened in December. It’s nicely paved and oh, so close to being ready. We expect it will be open in October, after we finish the freeway interchange at 32nd Street.

Yes, it’s enticing, but we have to ask that you wait until the construction equipment and crews are gone before you start taking advantage of this new community asset.

Why wait? We worry about your safety. Because nothing is more important than safety.

For about the next two months we’ll be finishing construction on the interchange at 32nd Street. The people driving our large construction equipment aren’t expecting to come across runners or cyclists, so they aren’t looking for you.

So please – pretty please – let us finish our work before you begin to play. The new path is supposed to be a source of fun. We look forward to opening it up to you soon.

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Byline

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

Shared-use path, 32nd Street interchange expected to open in October

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 17:03:47 +0000

Shared-use path, 32nd Street interchange expected to open in October

[email protected] Wed, 08/12/2020 - 10:03

PHOENIX – The final two elements of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in the Ahwatukee area are scheduled to be completed in October.

The interchange at 32nd Street and the 6-mile shared-use path will open together once both are completed, barring any unexpected delays. Both had originally been scheduled to open in September, but delays related to COVID-19 have slowed the work, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The 32nd Street interchange was added to the project at the request of area residents and following an environmental review process. Work on the interchange began after the freeway opened in December 2019. During construction, 32nd Street has remained open to allow access to the business located south of the freeway.

The shared-use path, which runs from 40th Street to 17th Avenue, will provide recreational opportunities for walkers, cyclists and other non-motorized users south of the freeway. Residents will be able to access the path at each freeway cross street, including 40th, 32nd and 24th streets, Desert Foothills Parkway and 17th Avenue.

For safety reasons, the path cannot open while work continues at the 32nd Street interchange, and no one should use the path at this time.

The 22-mile South Mountain Freeway provides a connection between the East Valley and West Valley that allows drivers to travel across the Phoenix area while avoiding potential congestion in downtown Phoenix.

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Eastbound South Mountain Freeway work over next 10 days

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 18:09:32 +0000

Eastbound South Mountain Freeway work over next 10 days

[email protected] Wed, 04/15/2020 - 11:09

PHOENIX – For the next 10 days, eastbound drivers should watch for delays on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway while construction crews continue placing rubberized asphalt on the central and eastern sections.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has taken advantage of lighter traffic during the current public health situation to extend hours for freeway construction and maintenance. In the past, most work has been limited to nights and weekends to limit traffic congestion.

Beginning Thursday, April 16, as many as three eastbound lanes will be closed in areas between Estrella Drive and 40th Street through Sunday, April 26. Specifically:

From 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, through 10 p.m. Friday, April 17, the left three lanes of the South Mountain Freeway will be closed between Estrella Drive and 17th Avenue.
From 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, April 20, the right three lanes will be closed in the same area. In addition, the on- and off-ramps at Vee Quiva Drive, the on-ramp at Estrella Drive and the off-ramp at 17th Avenue will be closed.
Between 17th Avenue and 40th Street, the left three lanes will be closed for three days, from 10 p.m. Monday, April 20, until 10 p.m. Friday, April 24.
In the same area from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, April 27, the right three lanes will be closed, as will the 17th Avenue off-ramp and both the on- and off-ramps at Desert Foothills Parkway, 24th Street and 40th Street.

During the work, eastbound drivers may want to consider following I-10 through central Phoenix to avoid delays.

There are no westbound restrictions planned during the 10-day period.

Extending the time when construction and maintenance crews can close freeway lanes provides a safer environment for workers and can allow some work to be completed sooner within overall project timelines. In addition, working during the week frees up work crews for additional work on weekends in the future

With a safe and reliable transportation system essential to Arizonans, ADOT is continuing improvements along nearly 7,000 miles of state highways as part of the state’s pandemic response. Rest areas remain open statewide, and ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center continues operating around the clock to monitor freeway conditions and dispatch maintenance crews as necessary.

For up-to-date traffic information, visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, call 511 or check ADOT’s Twitter account, @ArizonaDOT.

South Mountain Freeway

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Lane closures may cause delays on South Mountain Freeway

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 23:00:11 +0000

Lane closures may cause delays on South Mountain Freeway

[email protected] Thu, 04/02/2020 - 16:00

PHOENIX – Drivers traveling west on the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway may experience delays from Thursday night through Monday morning as Arizona Department of Transportation crews continue paving in the mountain pass area.

The left two lanes of westbound Loop 202 will be closed between 17th Avenue and Estrella Drive from 10 p.m. Thursday, April 2, until 10 p.m. Friday, April 3. The right three lanes will then be closed in the same area until 5 a.m. Monday, April 6. In addition, the westbound on- and off-ramps at Vee Quiva Way will be closed.

Drivers traveling from the East Valley to the West Valley may want to consider following Interstate 10 through central Phoenix to avoid delays. There are no restrictions on the eastbound South Mountain Freeway.

Work continues on both the 32nd Street interchange and the shared-use path between 17th Avenue and 40th Street. Both are expected to be completed by this summer. Final paving and striping also will continue this spring.

The South Mountain Freeway opened in December. The 22-mile route provides an alternate route that may allow drivers traveling from one side of the Phoenix area to the other to avoid potential congestion in downtown Phoenix.

With state highways essential to delivering goods and services, ADOT, its employees and its contractor partners are dedicated to delivering transportation improvement projects during the current public health situation. To learn more, please visit azdot.gov/covid-19-resource-center.

South Mountain Freeway

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South Mountain Freeway

History abounds on the walls of Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway

History abounds on the walls of Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway

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South Mountain Freeway marks first anniversary

South Mountain Freeway marks first anniversary

Shared-use path along Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens

Shared-use path along Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens

New view of the South Mountain Freeway

New view of the South Mountain Freeway

Tags

Shared input on the South Mountain Freeway's shared-used path

Shared input on the South Mountain Freeway's shared-used path

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From the Director: ADOT earns a trio of regional awards

From the Director: ADOT earns a trio of regional awards

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Patience please for South Mountain's shared-use path

Patience please for South Mountain's shared-use path

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Shared-use path, 32nd Street interchange expected to open in October

Shared-use path, 32nd Street interchange expected to open in October

Eastbound South Mountain Freeway work over next 10 days

Eastbound South Mountain Freeway work over next 10 days

Lane closures may cause delays on South Mountain Freeway

Lane closures may cause delays on South Mountain Freeway