Projects
will increase capacity on key commerce corridors including Interstate 10, State Route 189, US
93 and Interstate 17 under the Arizona Department of Transportation’s
construction program covering fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
On Friday, the
State Transportation Board approved an annual update to ADOT’s Five-Year
Transportation Facilities Construction Program, which includes projects in
Greater Arizona and the Maricopa County and Pima County regions. This followed
a three-month comment period allowing the public and agencies to provide
feedback.
“Connectivity
and reliability are crucial for an ever-expanding state highway system like
Arizona’s, especially as the population continues to grow and businesses choose
to relocate here,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Projects in ADOT’s
Five-Year Construction Program will help move people, goods and services, generate
commerce and economic activity through investments in major freight and travel
corridors, and deliver on the agency’s commitment to not only maintain but
improve the quality of pavement, bridges and other infrastructure.”
ADOT is able
to accelerate some major expansion projects for Greater Arizona because of federal
funding increases, grants and state budget appropriations. Key commerce
corridors like Interstate 10, State Route 189, US 93 and Interstate 17 will all
see capacity improvements over the next five years. In addition, construction
of a dust-detection and warning system along I-10 near Picacho Peak will move
forward as part of the newly adopted program.
ADOT is also
committed to protecting Arizona’s nearly $21 billion investment in the state
highway system through dedicated preservation funding. This Five-Year Program
meets ADOT’s target of $260 million per year for preservation. Projects like
repaving highways, repairing or reconstructing bridges and projects to extend
the life of existing pavement all help to preserve the highway system and keep
it functioning as it should.
The
State Transportation Board’s approval of the Five-Year Program followed a call
for public comment in March and three public hearings in Tucson, Flagstaff and
Phoenix. In general, projects begin as part of the agency’s long-range
visioning process, move into a 20-year plan and a six- to 10-year development
program and then become part of the Five-Year Program, which is developed by
working closely with local planning organizations and community leaders to
identify projects that are ready to build or design.
Funding
for the Five-Year Program is generated by the users of transportation services,
primarily through gasoline and diesel fuel taxes and the vehicle license tax. Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have independent revenue
streams established through voter-approved sales tax increases that allow for
more expansion projects to take place.
The
following is a list of major projects for Greater Arizona, the Maricopa
Association of Governments (MAG) region and the Pima Association of Governments
(PAG) region during the 2018-2022 Five-Year Program. This list provides an
overview and does not include all projects in the Five-Year Program. The
2018-2022 Five-Year Program is now published and can be found at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.
Greater Arizona
-
Interstate 10 Widening:
State Route 87 to Picacho: This $109 million project (combined with
the dust detection and warning system) was accelerated to Fiscal Year 2017
and will continue to construction in FY 18. The highway will be widened to
three lanes in each direction and traffic interchanges will be improved.
-
Interstate 10 Safety
Improvements: Sunshine Boulevard to Picacho Peak Road (Dust-Detection and
Warning System): The construction for this project will be combined with the I-10
widening project from SR 87 to
Picacho ($109 million total for the two projects). The project was
accelerated to FY 2017 and will advance to construction in FY 18.
·
Interstate 10: Earley Road to
Interstate 8: This
$40 million project was accelerated to FY 2018. The project will widen the highway to three lanes in each direction and improve traffic
interchanges south of Casa Grande. Upon completion, the entire stretch of I-10
from Casa Grande to Tucson will have been upgraded to a six-lane highway.
·
State Route 189,
Nogales to Interstate 19: Total cost is estimated at $69 million for this
accelerated design-build project. ADOT is planning to
move forward with these improvements along SR 189 to ensure international
commerce can efficiently and safely travel between Arizona and Mexico at the
Mariposa Port of Entry, one of the busiest land ports in the United States.
·
Interstate 17:
Anthem to the Sunset Point Rest Area: This Five-Year Program allows for the
design and widening of I-17 in areas between Anthem and Sunset Point, with
specific areas and projects still under study.
$15
million for design in FY 2019
$178
million for widening in FY 2021 and FY 2022 (this includes $128 million from
ADOT and $50 million from the Maricopa Association of Governments)
-
US 93: Carrow to
Stephens: $35.5 million allocated in FY 2018 advances the widening
of this three-mile section of US 93 north of Wikieup. This project is part of ADOT’s commitment to transform all of US 93 to a modern,
four-lane divided highway.
·
US 93: “The Gap” Tegner Drive to State Route 89: This project will widen a three-mile stretch of US 93 near Wickenburg to
a four-lane divided highway.
$5 million for design in FY 2018
$41 million for construction in FY 2020
·
US 93/Interstate 40: West Kingman traffic interchange: $5 million for design in FY 2018 and $10 million for right of way in
FY 2020 for this new traffic interchange in downtown Kingman. Construction is
expected to begin in FY 2024 and is projected to cost $55 million.
·
Two US 93 design projects in FY 2019: $5 million for Cane Springs design (FY 2023 for construction) and $5
million for Big Jim Wash design (FY 2025 for construction). Both of these
widening projects are currently in the Six- to 10-Year Development Program.
·
State Route 260: Lion Springs section: $5 million for design in FY 2020. Construction is expected to begin in
FY 2023 and is projected to cost $45 million.
Pima County region
-
Interstate
10: Ina Road traffic interchange: $26 million allocated in FY 2018 to
complete the full reconstruction of the Ina Road traffic interchange in Marana.
As part of this project, Ina Road is being elevated and will pass over
I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad. The existing frontage roads and ramps
are also being reconstructed.
·
Interstate 10: Ina
Road to Ruthrauff Road: A total of $144 million allocated from FY 2020 to FY
2022 to widen the freeway between Ina and Ruthrauff roads.
-
Interstate
10: Ruthrauff Road traffic interchange: A total of $105 million
allocated from FY 2018 to FY 2020 for this reconstruction project.
-
Interstate
10: Houghton Road traffic interchange: A total of $39 million is allocated
in FY 2020 and FY 2021 for this construction project.
-
Interstate
19: Ajo Way traffic interchange: A total of $30 million is allocated in
FY 2018 and FY 2019 for Phase II of this reconstruction project.
Maricopa County
region
Many
major projects continue to move forward in the Maricopa County region as part
of ADOT’s five-year programming process and the recent update to the Maricopa
Association of Governments’ 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. This plan
includes updated project costs as part of the rebalancing process. Some of the
region’s major expansion projects over the next five years are noted below. The
complete list of projects can be found in the 2018-2022 Five-Year Program
located at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.
·
Loop 202 South
Mountain Freeway: The
22-mile freeway, which is currently under construction, will provide a
long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a
much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by
Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive
regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop
202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.
-
Interstate
10: I-17 Split to the Loop 202 Santan Freeway in Chandler: This project
will widen the mainline and includes improvements at the Broadway Curve to
help traffic flow more efficiently.
-
Loop
101 Pima Freeway: I-17 to Shea Boulevard: Construction
of a general purpose lane in each direction.
-
Interstate
10: State Route 85 to Verrado Way: Construction of a general purpose lane
in each direction.
-
State
Route 30: Loop 303 to Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway: Phase One
construction of a new freeway.
-
Loop
101 Price Freeway: US 60 to Loop 202 Santan Freeway: Construction
of a general purpose lane in each direction.
-
Loop
303: MC 85 to Van Buren Street: Construction of a new freeway.
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