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.