ADOT to widen I-10 between Ruthrauff and Prince roads; reconstruct Prince Road traffic interchange

ADOT to widen I-10 between Ruthrauff and Prince roads; reconstruct Prince Road traffic interchange

I-10 Prince Road underpass and ramps to close

 

Continuing a $276 million investment to widen Interstate 10 to four lanes in each direction in downtown Tucson, the Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a project to widen I-10 between Ruthrauff and Prince roads and reconstruct the Prince Road traffic interchange to pass over the Union Pacific Railroad and I-10.

 

Other roadway improvements included in the project include drainage enhancements and aesthetic treatments.

 

The federally-funded $76.4 million project was awarded to Phoenix-based Pulice Construction at the State Transportation Board meeting on Friday (July 15).

 

Currently, the stretch of I-10 between Ruthrauff to Prince roads features three lanes in each direction. The construction will widen the freeway in this two-mile stretch to four lanes in each direction, providing for reduced congestion and improved traffic flow in this highly-traveled corridor. Following a recently completed $200 million project to widen I-10 through the downtown Tucson area between Prince Road and 29th Street, ADOT will have built 6.5 miles of continuous four-lane highway in each direction, the only stretch of its kind in Tucson.

 

Construction will begin in the next few weeks and traffic impacts over the first two months are anticipated to be minimal. The project is expected to be completed by late 2013.

 

The reconstruction of the Prince Road traffic interchange will enhance safety and address traffic congestion at the railroad crossing by allowing motorists, including emergency service vehicles, to pass over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and I-10. Forty to 60 trains pass daily through this area, sometimes requiring vehicles to back onto I-10 during peak hours. Since the railroad plans to eventually double the tracks at this location, the project serves to address future congestion and backups at Prince Road and the tracks.

 

Throughout the project duration, I-10 will remain open with three lanes in each direction, including emergency access lanes, with only minimal short-term lane closures along I-10 in the project area when necessary.

 

As part of the project, the I-10 Prince Road underpass and entrance and exit ramps will be closed for 26 months; however, Prince Road outside these areas will remain open throughout the duration of the project. Access to all businesses and properties in the project area will be maintained during construction. The I-10 Prince Road underpass and ramp closures are expected to begin in late 2011.

 

Drivers may use other I-10 traffic interchanges nearby to access roadways in the project area, such as the Miracle Mile traffic interchange to the south of the project and the Ruthrauff Road/El Camino del Cerro traffic interchange to the north of the project. Both interchanges will remain open throughout the project duration.

 

When complete, the Prince Road overpass will be built 30 feet above ground level on the east side of I-10 and slope down to reach current ground level near Business Center Drive. The new overpass will allow vehicle traffic to pass over the railroad tracks.

 

ADOT will use roadway signs, weekly traffic alerts, news media announcements and the project website to provide the public with information about traffic impacts.

 

Motorists may visit www.azdot.gov/tucson10widening to sign up to receive email updates regarding the project. The website also provides information about other projects along the I-10 corridor, as well as projects throughout the state. Motorists may also visit www.i10tucsondistrict.com to review the latest traffic alerts regarding this project and other I-10 projects in the Tucson area.

 

The construction schedule is subject to change due to a variety of reasons, including weather, material availability and mechanical difficulties. ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

 

For more information about this project, please visit www.azdot.gov/tucson10widening, call 1-855-712-8530 or contact Senior Community Relations Officer Linda Ritter at lritter@azdot.gov or Southern Arizona Community Relations Officer, Paki Rico at prico@azdot.gov. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at news@azdot.gov or 1.800.949.8057. Visit www.facebook.com/azdot or www.azdot.gov for more information about ADOT.