Closure slated for eastbound I-10 in Southeast Valley this weekend

Click the detour map for a larger view.

Few things in life are guaranteed … except there’s never a good time to close an Interstate. So how does the Arizona Department of Transportation decide when it’s feasible to have a major restriction, such as this weekend’s closure of eastbound Interstate 10 in the southeast Valley?

Eastbound I-10 will be closed between US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) overnight Friday until early afternoon  Saturday (Oct. 1). The eastbound on-ramps at Baseline, Elliot, Warner and Ray roads and Chandler Boulevard; and the westbound US 60 ramp to eastbound I-10 also will be closed. The on-ramp closures are necessary so traffic doesn’t flow onto the freeway where it is closed.

ADOT recognizes the significance of this closure and has been working for weeks to notify freeway users,  area residents and businesses. We also consider numerous factors before proceeding with our work, such as the type of work that is being done; local traffic counts and patterns; impacts to the local community; and efficient detour routes to name just a few. While we can’t always negate the impacts of freeway construction or maintenance projects, we work in partnership with our contractors and the community to identify the best-possible options.

ADOT Aeronautics Group oversees airport pavement program, wins national award

This chart can be found in the 2010 APMS update executive summary.

Smooth takeoffs and easy landings require airport runways that are maintained and cared for … because no pilot (or passenger) wants to hit a pothole on the taxiway.

But, keeping an airport’s pavement in good condition takes some vigilance – extreme temperatures, wear from heavy loads and age can all take their toll on pavement. Smaller, publicly owned airports in the state might not have the budget, or the manpower, to handle needed repairs.

That’s where the Arizona Airport Pavement Management System steps in …

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group, part of the Multimodal Planning Divison, runs the program that evaluates pavement conditions of airports in the state and helps fund maintenance and restoration projects. The APMS got its start in 2000 to help monitor the conditions of Arizona’s airport system (a multi-million dollar investment of public and private funds) and assist in the preservation of its infrastructure.

Wattles help prevent sediment pollution

Photo courtesy of Ken Wilson/KDA

The Doubtful Canyon project on SR 260 uses wattles, which are 

the snake-like objects on the slope. A wattle is a tube filled with
straw that slows down runoff.

When it comes to preventing sediment from being washed out of construction sites and into adjacent water sources, there’s a low-tech solution that proves very useful. It’s called a wattle....

A what?

Funny name aside, a wattle is used for sediment control and provides an efficient way to slow down storm water runoff.

Wattles are basically tubes filled with straw, but when used in conjunction with other measures, they reduce the possibility of sediment pollution.

ADOT goes to great lengths to prevent sediment from its construction projects from being washed into adjacent creeks and streams during storms. On projects where excavated material can be washed away, the contractor has to submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan that describes the measures that will be taken to prevent sediment runoff.

Very often, wattles are a part of that plan.

$5 million in grants available from ADOT's Safe Routes to School program

A new school year is in full swing and now is the time for Arizona educators to take advantage of the $5 million in grants available from Safe Routes to School!

Safe Routes to School is a federally funded program that’s administered in Arizona by ADOT. Grant money is annually distributed to schools, districts, tribal communities, municipalities and nonprofit agencies that successfully outline projects designed to help remove the barriers preventing students from safely and conveniently walking or biking to school (You can read more about the program in our June blog post).

Grants are awarded for things like bike racks, crossing signals and even traffic circles and speed humps. Non-infrastructure projects are eligible, too. Just take a look at the video above for some inspiration!

“The goals of the Arizona Safe Routes to School program are to get the funding in the hands of people who want to do good things like this, who care about their kids’ health, who want to get their kids out and give them extra opportunities for physical activity. Because nationwide health statistics are showing that children are obese,” said ADOT’s Safe Routes to School program coordinator Brian Fellows in the video above.

Gonzales Pass earns environmental excellence award

Photo courtesy of Berwyn Wilbrink of Jacobs Engineering

The US 60 Gonzales Pass project received the President's Award
at Valley Forward's 31st annual Environmental Excellence awards

program on Sept. 17.

All the innovation and care that went into the US 60 Gonzales Pass project has really paid off.

Not only did the 10-mile stretch west of Superior transform from two lanes into a safer, more modern four-lane highway, but the project has just been awarded the President’s Award in Valley Forward’s 31st annual Environmental Excellence Awards program.

In addition to the President’s Award – which was awarded Sept. 17 and is Valley Forward’s top environmental honor – Gonzales Pass also earned a first-place Valley Forward award in the site development and landscape (public sector) category.

Valley Forward is an association that advocates for a balance between development and the environment. In addition to the annual Environmental Excellence Awards presentation, Valley Forward also conducts a yearly Livability Summit and EarthFest Educators Night.

Donor Network of Arizona recognizes ADOT partnership

Photo courtesy of Claire Beeler

ADOT Director John Halikowski, left, accepts award 

from Donor Network of Arizona CEO, Tim Brown.

Did you realize that more than 111,000 people in the U.S. are in need of a life-saving organ transplant? In Arizona alone, 2,100 people are waiting ...

That’s why the Donor Network of Arizona is so important. As the state’s only organ recovery organization, this not-for-profit group is a much-needed resource. 

But, on Sept. 16 it was the Donor Network of Arizona that wanted to say thank-you. During its third-annual Donation Celebration/25th Anniversary Gala event, the organization recognized and celebrated the citizens, professionals and businesses that have contributed to the network’s mission: to make the most of life through the gift of organ and tissue donation.

The Arizona Department of Transportation was recognized as a community partner.

"The Department is honored to be recognized with this award because it shows the high level of commitment our employees have to do their share to help people in need," said ADOT Director John Halikowski.

(Re)-bridging the gap: Mescal/J-Six Bridge set to open

It’s been just about six months, but today the residents of Mescal and J-Six Ranch got their bridge back and can finally say goodbye to one lengthy detour!

These two Cochise County communities had been linked together by an overpass that spanned Interstate-10. But back in March, two semi-trucks collided underneath that bridge and the resulting damage was so severe that the connection between Mescal and J-Six had to be closed for safety’s sake.

Fast-forward to today ... a brand new bridge is in place, ready to accommodate the motorists who have been forced to take the long way whenever they needed to drive between the two neighborhoods.

“For most motorists traveling I-10, this closure was an inconvenience,” says ADOT Director John Halikowski in the video above. “It meant they’d have to travel a little farther to stop for gas. But for the communities of Mescal and J-Six Ranch, the overpass closure created a heavy burden. You see, the bridge is the only road connecting Mescal and J-Six Ranch. Residents from both sides were cut off from the businesses and services they rely on.”

Arizona roadway fatalities dropped again in 2010

Even though just one driving-related fatality is too many, Arizona motorists can at least be heartened by a new report showing the number of fatal crashes was on the decline in 2010.

You can take a look at ADOT’s full “2010 Crash Facts” report here. It shows that 762 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes on highways and local roads in the state last year. That’s down from 806 fatalities in 2009 and marks a significant reduction since 1,301 people died in crashes in 2006 (the year Arizona recorded its highest-ever number of traffic fatalities).

The statistics also show that 30 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred last year were alcohol-related (210). That number is down from 35 percent the year prior.

Loop 303 makes annual 'Top 10 Roads' list

On May 7, 2011 community members had an opportunity to ride bikes, walk or jog on the new stretch
of Loop 303 before it opened to traffic.

When the editorial team at Roads & Bridges makes choices for the magazine’s annual Top 10 Roads list, many factors are considered.

But, according to Editorial Director Bill Wilson, it’s the challenges faced in building each nominated road and the project’s impact that get the closest looks.

Maybe that’s why the Loop 303 (Happy Valley Road to Lake Pleasant Parkway) made it to this year’s top 10!

There were plenty of challenges … the contractor’s “to do” list was huge and included:

• The installation of a 5.35-mile section of new freeway (including 18 bridges)
• Moving more than 1 million cubic yards of earth
• Placing about 40,000 linear feet of underground utilities
• Pouring roughly 340,000 square yards of concrete pavement.

And, the project certainly had an impact (check out this blog post detailing the how this portion of the Loop 303 has made a difference in the West Valley).

Chance for tremor is slim, but bridges built to endure

Earthquake-proofing measures are part of the plan for
the new Mescal Road/J-Six Ranch Bridge, near Benson.

The recent quake near Washington, D.C. served as a reminder that the earth occasionally moves in U.S. locales outside of California.

At ADOT, we know that Arizona is not immune to seismic activity, either. While earthquakes are far from commonplace in the Grand Canyon State, our engineers take nothing for granted.

Across the state, highway and interstate bridges built since the 1970s have been designed to meet or exceed standards established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Older bridges have been retrofitted to help them hold up better against earthquakes.

Most of Arizona is believed to have little risk of earthquake, but certain areas – Coconino, Yuma and Cochise counties – are known to be vulnerable to seismic movement.

So when the ADOT Bridge Group set about designing the new Mescal Road/J-Six Ranch Bridge near Benson, earthquake-proofing measures were part of the plan.

That starts with enhanced reinforcement of the structure, including columns and foundation.

Each bridge is individually designed to hold up in the conditions unique to its surroundings. For instance, a location with loose sand or silt gets a deeper foundation including drilled shafts or piles.

US 93 wildlife crossing honored with environmental award

Photos courtesy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department

Over the past several years, ADOT has worked to transform the highly travelled US 93 between Wickenburg to the Hoover Dam from a two-lane highway to an environmentally friendly four-lane, divided highway.

A project of this scale will always present its share of issues, but widening the final section – from Kingman to the Mike O’Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge – provided ADOT with an especially unique challenge …

That final stretch also happened to be the stomping grounds of the country’s largest contiguous herd of desert bighorn sheep.

Without some sort of solution, motorist safety would be at risk from the substantially increased chance of wildlife-vehicle collisions. But the sheep still needed to be able to cross the highway in order to reach essential resources on both sides.

Wildlife overpasses were thought to be the obvious fix … but, where should they be built along this 15-miles of new roadway?

Real World Design Challenge heads to Arizona

                                                 Photo courtesy of Arizona Governor's Office

  Gov. Jan Brewer launched the new Arizona Ready education 

  initiative and announced her partnership with the Real World

  Design Challenge on Sept. 8.

The Real World Design Challenge is coming to Arizona!

This annual competition gives high school students the opportunity to tackle actual engineering challenges. The contest is just for students, but we’re all going to benefit from the skills these future innovators are learning!

Gov. Jan Brewer announced her partnership with the Real World Design Challenge on Sept. 8 when she launched the state’s new Arizona Ready education initiative.

The governor explained students will not only gain valuable experience, but through the Real World Design Challenge, they also get “access to millions of dollars of state-of-the-art engineering software.”

Here’s how the competition works:

Teachers who participate get access to $1 million in professional engineering software ... they also get training, curriculum materials and the assistance of mentors.

Teams of high school students utilize these resources to work on a real-life engineering problem. The team with the best solution from each state gets to compete in the national finals, held in Washington DC.

ADOT to host next International Conference on Ecology and Transportation

When the 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation wrapped up late last month in Seattle, the very exciting announcement was made that ADOT had been selected to serve as host for the next conference in 2013!

Now, maybe you’re not too familiar with the ICOET, but this conference is kind of a big deal!

It’s held every two years and showcases research and best practices related to ecology and transportation planning. According to a letter from 2011 ICOET Conference Chair Paul Wagner, each conference brings the participation of hundreds of transportation and ecology professionals from the US and more than 21 countries.

Todd Williams, director of ADOT’s Office of Environmental Services, says the conference is a chance to really highlight the great efforts ADOT makes in incorporating ecological concerns into the way we plan, build and maintain our transportation infrastructure.

Preparedness and emergency response are important parts of ADOT's job

Last week when we told you about National Preparedness Month, we briefly detailed the role ADOT plays when it comes to public safety. But, there’s a whole lot more to say on the subject, and who better to write about it than ADOT’s very own Emergency Manager…

Courtney Perrier-Bear has been with ADOT for 12 years and has been the department’s emergency manager since June 2010. That same year she received her master's degree in technology, with an emphasis in emergency management from Arizona State University. Courtney’s experience also includes time as an Arizona Firefighter II, work as an Arizona Division of Emergency Management adjunct instructor and 20 years in environmental, safety, hazardous materials and emergency management. Take a look at the video above to see Courtney in action on the scene of the Wallow Fire back in June.

By Courtney Perrier-Bear
Guest Blogger

Everything ADOT does supports public safety in some manner …

But, in order for us to be ready for any emergencies or disasters that might affect our highways and interstates, we’ve got to be prepared for anything.

To help the department stay ready and prepared, ADOT has an Emergency Preparedness and Management group that focuses on caring for the public as well as ADOT employees during such emergencies.

Air quality impact studied by ADOT before projects move forward

Analysis and a computer modeling program assist ADOT
in determining a project's impact on air quality.

A couple months ago we told you how ADOT works to minimize the noise impact a new freeway has on surrounding neighborhoods.

Well, similar efforts also are made when it comes to air quality …

ADOT is committed to improve air quality by making sure all projects comply with federal, state and local air quality laws and regulations.

That means ADOT’s Environmental Planning Group evaluates every ADOT transportation project to ensure air quality standards will be maintained.

ADOT Noise and Air Specialist Fred Garcia says smaller projects go through a qualitative review by his team to determine if the road work will have any impact on air quality. Larger projects (ones that increase traffic capacity or that have changes in the vertical and/or horizontal alignment) will go through a much more extensive quantitative analysis.

That quantitative analysis includes a sophisticated computer modeling process that helps predict localized air pollution concentrations in neighborhoods near the project.

Join ADOT in recognizing National Preparedness Month

Did you know today kicks off the start of National Preparedness Month?

It’s a national effort focused on getting families, workplaces and emergency responders prepared for anything … because disasters and emergencies never seem to give much of a warning.

Led by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Preparedness Month got its start after 9/11 as a way to increase preparedness in this country. Through the Ready campaign, citizens are being armed with knowledge and ideas on how to best be prepared.

Check out ready.gov. It gives detailed information on how to create an emergency supply kit and the importance of having a family emergency plan. The site also offers plenty of resources on how to be better informed on the types of disasters that might impact you.

Maybe you’re wondering what all this has to do with transportation and ADOT …