ADOT granted $2 million in immediate federal aid to investigate US 89 landslide

Find more US 89 photos HERE.

After seeing the photos and video of US 89, it’s obvious that a lot of engineering brainpower will be needed to determine the cause of the landslide and what the possible long- and short-term options might be. Seeing the magnitude of the damage might also make you wonder about costs...

Immediate federal aid
ADOT has been granted $2 million in immediate federal aid that can be used to continue investigating the cause of the landslide.

Following Governor Jan Brewer’s Declaration of Emergency last week, ADOT asked the Federal Highway Administration for the quick release of emergency relief funds and submitted an initial estimate to complete repairs of $35 million. This estimate may change as further information about the landslide is gathered by engineers.

The quick release funds will be used to assess the damage and the stability of the mountain slope, and conduct emergency operations.

The Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program reimburses state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.

“Our budget for emergencies is very limited, and local governments have even greater financial constraints with limited cash available to fund emergencies,” said Jennifer Toth, ADOT deputy director for transportation. “This initial allocation serves as a down payment on the overall emergency relief needs for US 89. It will offset the cost for the geotechnical investigation of the landslide area to determine short- and long-term options.”

ADOT is currently conducting a geological investigation to determine the stability of the mountain slope in the Echo Cliffs. The agency is also performing damage assessments in the area and a more accurate estimate will be available in the future.

Get all the latest information on the US 89 closure at www.azdot.gov/us89.

Building a Freeway: Project Development Process

The project development process starts before construction.

We were perusing the ADOT Construction Manual just recently (because, really, who doesn’t enjoy reading a good manual every now and then?) and we came across a passage that terrifically sums up ADOT’s Project Development Process.

We’ve blogged before about many of the steps in the process – planning, prioritizing, funding, building and maintenance – but we think the text below gives an excellent overview that we’d like to share with you today…

The project development process or highway development process (as it is sometimes called) begins with a traffic, safety, or environmental problem that needs to be solved.

For example, a passing lane may be needed on a rural highway to relieve congestion and reduce accidents. The problem is usually identified locally by ADOT's Regional Traffic Engineer, a maintenance foreperson, the District Engineer, a city or county Engineer, or an elected official. Some projects are initiated by the Department’s Transportation Planning Division who look at traffic patterns and highway safety on a statewide basis. Most projects are initiated at the district level.

Since there are usually more projects identified than money to build them, a process of prioritizing each project, determining its overall scope, and estimating its costs is initiated during what we call the planning phase. 

During the planning phase, a study is initiated where several engineering and environmental elements are reviewed in detail and results of the study are often shared at a public hearing. After public hearings and an environmental clearance is granted, the project advances to the design and pre-construction phases. Here the project is turned from an abstract idea into engineering drawings, additional right-of-way is purchased, as needed, and construction contract specifications are written. 

But, before a project can move into the implementation phase, the project must be included in the Five-Year Highway Construction Program and have funding set aside. The Five-Year Highway Construction Program is reviewed and ultimately approved each year by the State Transportation Board. In addition to approving the Five-Year Highway Construction Program, the State Transportation Board officially awards a contract to the contractor who was successful in the bid process or in some cases is most qualified to complete the project. 

The next step is to build the project. The contractor moves on to the project site and an ADOT Construction Field Office oversees the construction work. Their job is to inspect the work, pay the contractor, and ensure the project serves the public as intended.

The final steps are to open the project to the public and to maintain the project or facility so it performs as needed.

Stay tuned to the ADOT Blog – we have some posts planned for the coming weeks and months that will further explore each of the steps listed above!

Editor's note: The text above is quoted from the ADOT Construction manual, but we clarified a few sentences and added the links. 

New I-17 ‘flyover’ bridge opens to traffic, to improve traffic flow

Just in time for the Christmas and New Year holidays, ADOT has completed the new Cordes Junction ‘flyover’ bridge, which is now open to traffic!

This new overpass lifts northbound I-17 traffic headed to the Prescott area over the highway and connects directly to northbound SR 69.

The busy Cordes Junction traffic interchange sits right between Flagstaff and Phoenix. Because it was built nearly 50 years ago – when traffic volumes were not nearly as large what they are today – ADOT has been working to remake it into an updated, modern interchange. When completed, the new design will make it easier for drivers to connect to other northern communities, including Prescott, while improving traffic flow and safety.

A major accomplishment
A big component of the $50 million project was the completion of the new flyover bridge. Due to the outdated design of the previous interchange, slower local traffic destined for the businesses and residences in the Cordes Lakes area, were forced to mix with the high speed traffic at this busy interchange, which serves over 40,000 vehicles per day.

“Completing the new flyover bridge is a major milestone on this Cordes Junction traffic interchange reconstruction project,” said Prescott District Engineer Alvin Stump. “The interchange was built almost 50 years ago when traffic volumes were much lower and it mixes local and through traffic, resulting in congestion and delays. This updated interchange will not only be able to handle the future growth in this area, but also make it safer for all drivers.”

More on the project

After beginning construction in August 2011, ADOT is entering the final stages after having completed over 80 percent of the project. ADOT is on target to complete the project as scheduled by June 2013.

The remaining major work yet to be completed includes opening the new southbound Big Bug Bridge and east roundabout near the McDonalds restaurant, and repaving I-17 and SR 69.

Improvements to the interchange will increase accessibility to local businesses, provide more efficient traffic movements for those traveling through the area, and prepare for future traffic demands. The project includes seven new bridges, three local roads (Copper Star Road, Arcosanti Road, Stagecoach Trail), installation of two roundabouts, as well as improvements to local storm water drainage.

For details on the project’s progress so far, check out our previous videos and blog posts or visit the project web page.

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New special license plate options now available

If you’re in the market for a new license plate we’ve got some good news for you – two new options are now available to consider!

Late last month a new specialty license plate benefitting childhood cancer research was released along with a re-design of the specialty plate supporting the University of Arizona.

Like all specialty plates, these will cost drivers a $25 initial application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee – $17 of which goes right to the nonprofit group/cause that supported the plate’s production (more on that later in the post).

The childhood cancer research plate was supported by Ella’sTea Party, Inc., a nonprofit organization created by friends and family of a young girl fighting cancer. Money collected from the sale of this plate will go toward a fund supporting research of childhood cancer and rare childhood diseases.

Money collected from sales of the newly redesigned U of A plate will go to the university for academic scholarships.

Just a note to anyone driving around with the “old” U of A design: don’t worry – those plates are still valid. However, for a $5 replacement fee you can purchase the new plate design.

More about specialty plates

Check out this blog post from last year for an in-depth look at the process behind the creation of specialty plates … or just keep reading for a condensed version. 

ADOT and MVD do not decide which plates get the OK, that’s up to state lawmakers.

First, a nonprofit group or cause has to get the attention of lawmakers. From there, a bill sponsored through the legislature must pass and then be signed into law by the governor.

Once that happens, the group must pay a $32,000 implementation fee – this covers programming costs and production. Next up is design. Once a prototype is approved by law enforcement officials, the nonprofit group and MVD’s director, the new plates are rolled out and made available to motorists. 

For even more information on license plates, visit MVD’s website, or read some of our previous blog posts.

National Engineers Week celebrates contributions

Ever think about where we’d be without engineers?

We know we certainly wouldn’t have most of the “stuff” that surrounds us in our everyday lives, or, if we did, it probably wouldn’t operate the way it does now.

That’s because engineers are the ones who design, create and make things work. They also play a really crucial role here at ADOT…

Seeing that it’s National Engineers Week (more on that in a minute), we thought we’d concentrate all week on the important work that our engineers accomplish every day to help the state’s transportation system function efficiently.

To kick things off, take a look back with us at these engineering-focused blog posts from the past:

• Moving oversize loads requires big effort 
• Oversize load safely crosses bridge, makes it to destination on time 
• Real World Design Challenge heads to Arizona
• State engineer's responsibilities are numerous 
• State Engineer gives her take on the job 
• Engineer in Training program offers new graduates the chance for some real world experience at ADOT 
• STEM studies are at the forefront of upcoming transportation event 
• Future female engineers get an up-close look at Loop 303 construction 
• ASU Summer Transportation Institute introduces students to engineering 
• Class C permits help oversize loads travel safely through the state 

More on National Engineers Week
According to the week’s official site, National Engineers Week “celebrates the positive contributions engineers make to society and is a catalyst for outreach across the country to kids and adults alike.” The theme this year, by the way, is “Celebrate Awesome!”

Learn more about the week and see how it is being celebrated across the U.S. by visiting the site.

And, stay tuned to the blog! We’ll have more engineering themed posts heading your way this week.

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Pioneer FH-X700BT In-Dash Double DIN CD/MP3/USB Car Stereo Receiver w/ Bluetooth, Pandora Link, MIXTRAX & iPod Support

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New high-tech center monitors your highway safety

40 reconfigurable 55-inch flat-panel displays line a wall in
the TOC. These screens help ADOT staff monitor traffic
conditions around the state. 

It may look like something out of the latest hi-tech spy movie, but our newly refurbished Traffic Operations Center is wonderfully real. This state-of-the-art electronic data hub is located in Phoenix and allows ADOT staff to keep a watchful eye on traffic conditions around the state.

The TOC is the core traffic communication system for the state. It’s been in operation since 1992 but was in need of a hi-tech overhaul to meet the demands of nearly 7,000 miles of state highways in Arizona.

Funded through the Federal Highway Administration, the TOC upgrade was a yearlong, $2.1 million project.

It will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The objective is to help dispatch ADOT crews and other first responders to highway incidents, assist drivers in avoiding congestion and providing information to the public about crashes, closures or other restrictions.

“Our goal is simple: to keep drivers moving safely around the state, whether it’s for their daily commute or on a trip to another region of Arizona,” said Senior Deputy State Engineer Rob Samour. “Because of the modernization of the Traffic Operations Center, we are now among the best in the country for monitoring traffic flow and providing options to drivers when there are problems on our highways.”

Click over to our website az511.gov and view our traffic camera images online anytime of the day or night. And speaking of the website … stay tuned for more changes to come as we are working on a complete overhaul of how we report traffic to our users!

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From the ADOT Archives: The Superstition Freeway

This view might look somewhat familiar to all you East Valley commuters out there…

Taken on May 16, 1979, the above photo shows a construction crew working on the Superstition Freeway in Mesa.

If you were to take a drive out to the same spot today, you’d notice the freeway, also known as US 60, looks a little wider now (with six lanes in each direction) than it did 33 years ago. You would also see sound walls, landscaping and plenty of development nearby – all of which don’t appear to be there in 1979.

A little history…
According to “Arizona’s Transportation History,” which is a report from the ADOT Research Center that examines the timeline of our highway system, the very first section of the Superstition Freeway was completed in 1971. But back then it didn’t go too far – after branching east off I-10, it ended at just Mill Avenue.

From the looks of these photos, the effort to expand the freeway was well under way in 1979 and we know that work continued for about 12 more years.

According to the report, “the Superstition Freeway was completed in 1991, when it reached its present-day junction with US Route 60 east of Apache Junction, bringing to a close more than two decades of construction work. By then work was under way on a southern freeway, State Loop 202 (of which the Papago Freeway was one part), and a northern freeway, State Loop 101.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same
While the scenery may be a little altered, the machinery used to complete the work in 1979 doesn’t look too drastically different from what’s used today. Check out these photos taken last March for a quick comparison.

For more on the Superstition Freeway and current projects, visit ADOT’s US 60 webpage.

Transportation Defined: Climbing Lanes

A climbing lane on SR 87.

Next time you’re traveling uphill only to get stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle or truck, you’ll appreciate the concept of a climbing lane.

A climbing lane is an “extra” lane that’s used for short distances in certain areas to improve safety, ease congestion and prevent delays. These lanes help facilitate the passing of trucks and slow moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained steep grades.

A few more facts:

• A climbing lane looks the same as any other lane and is the same width. 
• Climbing lanes usually are used on uphill segments of highway that have a steep grade (usually 5-6 percent grade). 
• Climbing lanes typically are marked with signage advising slower traffic to keep right. 

“Climbing lanes help reduce collisions and backups by providing slower moving trucks and vehicles an additional, safe lane to travel in. This reduces conflicts between slower moving trucks and passing vehicles,” said Prescott District Engineer Alvin Stump in a recent news release focused on a new ADOT project involving a climbing lane (we’ll tell you more about that tomorrow!).

Transportation Defined is a series of explanatory blog posts designed to define the things you see on your everyday commute. Let us know if there's something you'd like to see explained ... leave a comment here on the blog or over on our Facebook page!

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Features

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Work on climbing lane project begins

If you’re familiar with the stretch of southbound I-17 just south of Camp Verde, you know there’s a bit of a steep climb involved for a few miles of the drive.

Getting over that hill can slow down larger vehicles and lead to delays, which is why ADOT, in an effort to improve safety and ease congestion in the area, has started construction of a new auxiliary lane and a new climbing lane…

This safety improvement project, which is funded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, will help facilitate the passing of trucks and slow moving vehicles whose speed drops because of the sustained grades along this stretch of highway – this location carries approximately 28,000 vehicles per day, including significant truck traffic.

Construction Details
Climbing lanes, as we learned yesterday, can help ease congestion up steep hills by providing more room for vehicles traveling past slower traffic. The two-mile climbing lane on this project will be built at the top of Copper Canyon (mileposts 280-282).

As part of the project, ADOT will also add an auxiliary lane between the SR 260 and General Crook Trail traffic interchanges (mileposts 285-287).

Construction on the project started last week and, for the next several days, drivers can expect shoulder closures in both directions between SR 260 and General Crook Trail. In addition to the shoulder closures, the truck pull-out at the top of Copper Canyon will be closed for the next six months.

Drivers also should expect intermittent lane closures with minimal delays. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (find traffic alerts HERE).

The work zone will be clearly marked by temporary barricades and signage. ADOT advises drivers to allow additional time to reach their destinations and to proceed through the work zone with caution, comply with the reduced speed limit and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

ADOT's Tentative Five-Year Construction Program available for comment

ADOT's tentative Five-Year Construction Program is
available online at www.azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.

ADOT’s tentative Five-Year Construction Program is now online and available for your review and comments.

But before you go and have a look, we want to let you know that this year’s draft is a little different from what you've seen in the past…

Yes, the Five-Year Construction Program still serves as a blueprint for ADOT. 

And, just like it has in previous years, the plan details where, when and how regional, state and federal funding will be spent for projects over the next five years to improve our sate’s transportation infrastructure.

However, for this year’s plan (which is still a tentative program right now), ADOT has determined that $350 million must be cut due to stagnant revenue from the gas and vehicle license taxes and from decreased federal funding.

The State Transportation Board will conduct public

hearings to allow for additional community input.

As a result, the 2014-2018 Five-Year Construction Program reflects a major focus on preserving our existing state highway system while moving some programmed projects forward.

Other programmed projects in the five-year plan will need to be delayed to future years due to significantly less funding.

Preserving our system means protecting our investment of $18.4 billion – this is the value of the state highway system through monies spent on expansion, modernization and preservation projects.

What this means…
Over the next five years, there will be less focus on expansion of the system statewide. This is the first Five-Year Program that will reflect this dramatic change for the agency.

This issue will be present in 2013, but will become much more pronounced by 2016, when $250 million will be cut from the program, and in 2017, when an additional $100 million will be cut from the program.

“We are at a crossroads,” said ADOT Director JohnHalikowski. “The time has come to make some tough decisions about how to spend our limited transportation dollars. We are standing at a wide funding gap between the need for future transportation options and the reality of insufficient funds to pay for them. We need to move forward with a plan that focuses on preserving the good work we’ve done in creating a state highway system that connects communities and economies.”

What’s your opinion?
The public comment period for the Tentative Five-Year Program is now under way. As ADOT moves toward a preservation-based system, there are three scenarios that are being considered for implementation. All three scenarios are available for public comment:

• Scenario A – Focus on Preservation: This scenario focuses the most investment on keeping the existing highway system in good repair with the least investment in programmed major projects in greater Arizona. There would be 81 preservation projects from 2014 to 2016, 39 bridge projects, one major project and 690 miles of pavement projects. An average of $184 million per year in preservation from 2014 through 2018 would be allocated. Arizona’s interstate system is projected to fall below current standards for pavement quality in 2031 with this scenario. 
• Scenario B – Focus on Programmed Major Projects: This scenario focuses the most investment on major projects that are programmed in greater Arizona with the lowest investment in keeping existing highways in good repair through preservation. There would be nine major projects from 2014 to 2017. From 2014 to 2016, there would be 25 bridge projects and 458 miles of pavement projects. An average of $142 million per year in preservation from 2014 to 2018 would be allocated. Arizona’s interstate system is projected to fall below current standards for pavement quality in 2017 with this scenario.
• Scenario C – Combination of Preservation and Major Projects: This scenario focuses on some investment in major projects that are programmed in greater Arizona with less investment in keeping existing highways in good repair. There would be four major projects from 2014 to 2017, 39 bridge projects from 2014 to 2018 and 524 miles of pavement projects. An average of $149 million per year in preservation from 2014 to 2018 would be allocated. Arizona’s interstate system is projected to fall below current standards for pavement quality in 2021 with this scenario. 

How to comment
ADOT welcomes feedback and has provided the following options to submit your comments:

• Email: FiveYearProgram@azdot.gov 
• Online comment form
• Telephone: 855-712-8530 
• Print and mail the comment form to: ADOT 5-Year Program, 1655 West Jackson, MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007 

The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 17. Public hearings will be conducted on March 8 in Phoenix, April 12 in Tucson and May 10 in Flagstaff to allow for additional community input (see details above). The board is expected to adopt the final 2014-2018 Five-Year Program at the June 14 meeting in Pinetop-Lakeside.

New webpage offers the latest US 89 details

Visit www.azdot.gov/US89 for the latest US 89 closure details.

Wow … we’ve certainly received a big response to all of the videos, Tweets, blog posts and news releases related to the closure of US 89 south of Page.

A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who has helped us spread the word!

Just to give you an idea of how far the message has gone, listen to these stats: US 89 photos from the ADOT Facebook page have been shared at least 7,100 times, so far, and this video has been watched more than 32,000 times (don’t even get us started with all of the comments, likes and retweets)! 

While we’ll continue to use social and traditional media to give updates on the situation (and we hope you keep on sharing the information with your family and friends), we do want you to know there’s an additional resource now available to you when you’re looking for US 89 closure details.

ADOT’s new webpage, www.azdot.gov/US89, is a one-stop site that’s dedicated to keeping the public informed about the latest news and alternate routes. Visit the page and you’ll not only find current and past news releases, but you can check out videos, photos, detailed detour maps and blog posts.

If websites aren’t your thing, you can also get information on the closure by calling the ADOT Project Hotline, toll-free, at 1-855-712-8530 or by sending an email to projects@azdot.gov.

ADOT recognizes how critical US 89 is to the region and our engineers are very busy gauging the damage and considering what steps to take next. It’s too early to know what the fix might be, or when it will be ready for drivers, but we will work hard to keep you informed and ensure that all motorists are able to safely travel to all destinations.

Now, go check out our new webpage (and tell your friends while you’re at it!).

A new special license plate option is now available

By now, you ought to know plenty about license plates…

We’ve blogged about how they’re made and the awards they’ve won. We’ve even attempted to answer all your questions relating to the “blue cloud” plates (a sequel to that post is coming soon – stay tuned!).

So, for today’s post, we’ll keep things fairly short and just let you know there’s a new specialty plate that’s available for purchase in Arizona (learn more about special license plates in these previous posts).

The new plate is: Keep Arizona Beautiful.

Like other special plates there’s a $25 initial application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee to consider – $17 of the fee goes to the litter prevention and cleanup special plate fund. This plate has no special requirements and is available to everyone. It may be personalized with a maximum of six characters and is also available with a disability symbol.

For more information on special plates, visit the MVD site.

ADOT Twitter reaches milestone: #20,000 Tweets

ADOT recently Tweeted for the 20,000th time!

Don’t know how closely you’ve been tracking ADOT’s Twitter feed lately, but something big just happened over there.

At about 7 a.m. today, ADOT’s 20,000th Tweet went out to the masses!

In light of this milestone, we thought it’d be fun to revisit some of our favorite Tweets from recent months. Before we get to that, though, let’s take a very quick look at how ADOT has been able to use Twitter as a powerful communication tool...

Since launching in 2008, ADOT’s Twitter account has been used to inform and update its followers (right now there’s 18,210 of them, but that number just keeps rising!). Whenever there’s an incident that’s going to have an impact on the highway – crashes, vehicle fires, weather events, etc. – you can bet ADOT will be Tweeting about it. ADOT also has been able to use Twitter to promote key safety messages (remember the ‘Pull Aside, Stay Alive campaign? #HaboobHaiku) and answer questions directly from drivers.

Now, as promised, here are just a few of our favorite Tweets from recent months – a mix of informative and humorous! After you're done reading them here, head over to Twitter and see what our next 20,000 Tweets will be about!

• Way too much red tonight on this traffic heat map. Gotta have more green and the only prescription is...cowbell? (Nov. 30)
• Cow caravan: On US 60, about 5 miles west of SR 72, we have a report of cows walking along the roadway. (Dec. 24)
• Emergency kits for a holiday drive should include things you'll need if there is an unexpected delay: Water, snacks, blankets, flashlights. (Nov. 21)
• Can't wait to return that horrible sweater from Grandma? Before going to the mall, check road conditions first! (Dec. 27)
• That's not NAU graduation confetti in Flagstaff - that's snow! (Dec. 14)
• Mother Nature took out the white paint brush this morning in the Painted Desert. This pic is on I-40. #azwx (Jan. 7)
• Looks like there's an upside to the Mayan #Apocalypse: Very light rush hour traffic this morning! Who knew? (Dec. 21)
• It's a zoo on the roads today in Apache County! Watch for llamas on Route 264 at milepost 457, and horses on Route 191 at milepost 409. (Jan. 5)
• Making a holiday road trip in Arizona? If so, check out our handy map of Arizona rest stops. (Nov. 28)
• What is going on today? In the last hour, drivers have lost a fridge, Christmas tree and hay bale on AZ highways. Secure your loads, folks! (Dec. 8)