ADOT lists projects for the coming year

 

Phoenix, Tucson and statewide construction projects continue in 2012

Projects include the Doubtful Canyon widening project approximately 20 miles east of Payson 

PHOENIX – Despite funding challenges and a dim long-term outlook for transportation revenue, the new year brings major milestones for highway projects in metro Phoenix and across the state. Some long-anticipated projects to widen existing freeways, replace outdated bridges and build new interchanges will be finished, while others will get started. It promises to be a busy year ahead for the Arizona Department of Transportation with highway construction across the state.

In all, ADOT will complete $1.3 billion in transportation improvements across Arizona in 2012, including about $300 million to keep existing highways in good repair. According to the department, 80 percent of that money – collected through state and federal gas taxes – returns to the local economy.

Phoenix Area Freeway Projects for 2012

Fall 2011 saw the completion of more than 40 miles of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes along Loop 101 from north Phoenix to the West Valley and along Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler. ADOT will concentrate its 2012 freeway work on a major interchange linking Interstate 10 with Loop 303 in Goodyear and the first section of a new freeway – State Route 24 – near Gateway Airport in Mesa. Metro Phoenix freeway improvements are funded, in part, through the region’s half-cent sales tax for transportation.

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Statewide Highway Projects for 2012

In 2012, ADOT will be working on several expansion projects on I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson as the department makes this heavily-traveled corridor a priority. In northern Arizona, ADOT broke ground last year on the I-17 Cordes Junction traffic interchange in September and will continue to move forward with this critical project, along with several others, in 2012.

US 70 San Carlos River and US 70 Gila River Bridges

On US 70 between Globe and Safford, ADOT will replace two structurally deficient bridges built in 1957 on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. The San Carlos River Bridge is located 21 miles east of Globe, just south of the communities of Peridot and San Carlos. The $7.9 million project includes construction of a new bridge and other improvements that are scheduled for completion in early 2013.

At nearly 2,000 feet in length, the US 70 Gila River Bridge at Bylas is among the longest in Arizona. Located five miles west of Bylas, the $12.7 million project will start this spring and includes replacing the existing steel girder bridge with a precast concrete bridge that will feature wider travel lanes, emergency shoulders and a pedestrian walkway. The project will be completed in spring 2013.

Northern Arizona

Interstate 17/SR 69 Cordes Junction Traffic Interchange

The Cordes Junction traffic interchange is being reconstructed at the junction of I-17 and State 69, approximately 65 miles north of downtown Phoenix. Built nearly 50 years ago when traffic volumes were much lower, the interchange mixes local and through traffic, causing congestion and delays. Highway traffic headed to Prescott will be separated from local traffic driving at slower speeds. The $50.9 million project, which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2013, will also include new bridges over Big Bug Creek, a new interchange to the north and two roundabouts to improve safety and traffic flow.

US 93 Widening (Southbound Wagon Bow Ranch and Southbound Deluge Wash)

This seven-mile segment of US 93 north of Wikieup (mileposts 109-116) will include construction of new southbound lanes, which will make it a four-lane divided highway. The $25.9 million project is one of a series of widening projects ADOT has completed on this heavily-traveled corridor between Phoenix and Las Vegas. Work is expected to be completed this fall.

State Route 260 Doubtful Canyon Widening

The Doubtful Canyon widening project approximately 20 miles east of Payson will construct three miles of four-lane divided highway between the previously improved Kohl’s Ranch and Christopher Creek segments along SR 260. The widening of SR 260 at Doubtful Canyon is the fifth of six projects designed to widen the highway from Star Valley to the Mogollon Rim. The $29.4 million project is scheduled for completion this fall.