More than 700 Arizonans share feedback on ADOT’s construction plan

Input welcome through June 3 on program to improve corridors, pavement

Phoenix AZ (May 29, 2021) – More than 700 Arizonans have shared their feedback on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s tentative five-year plan for proposed improvements and projects as part of the agency’s annual update on the direction of the state’s highway system.

The public comments include multiple corridors in Arizona as motorists make their voices heard on what’s important to them in ADOT’s plan that includes improving several major highways and upgrading pavement conditions across the state.

ADOT continues to welcome public comments until 5 p.m. Thursday, June 3, on the 2022-2026 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program, with the opportunity to participate in an upcoming virtual hearing as well as submit comments online.

The public can access the proposed annual update at http://aztransportationboard.gov. The tentative plan allocates funding to expand and improve four corridors for passenger and freight traffic through the next five years. The projects to widen highways and improve safety include:

• Adding lanes along Interstate 17 between Anthem Way and Sunset Point, with construction on the $328 million project beginning in 2022.
• Widening US 93 between Tegner Street and Wickenburg Ranch Way. The $41 million project is scheduled for 2022.
• Replacing the Gila River bridges on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. Construction for that $83 million project is targeted for 2023.
• Constructing the first phase of the I-40/US 93 West Kingman interchange. The $70 million project is expected to begin by 2024.

Additionally, the tentative plan will invest more than $1 billion in pavement preservation projects across Arizona over five years, upgrading 581 lane miles of pavement from fair and poor condition to good condition.

The I-17 and I-10 widening projects are able to advance through ADOT’s partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning agency that has committed some of the funds for those improvements.

The 2022-2026 Tentative Five-Year Program also reaches ADOT’s goal of allocating $320 million per year for preservation of bridges and roadways throughout the state highway system. Preservation projects include repaving and repairing highways, along with repairing or reconstructing bridges. The tentative plan includes $407 million over five years for projects that improve highway safety, efficiency and functionality, such as smart technology or addition of shoulders.

The public comment period for the 2022-2026 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program began March 18 and ends at 5 p.m. June 3. The State Transportation Board is expected to consider formal action on the program at its June 18 meeting.

The complete report is available at azdot.gov/tentative5year for review and comment. ADOT welcomes feedback via an online form available at azdot.gov/tentative5year, by email at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov, by phone at 855.712.8530, and by mail Attn: Daina Mann, ℅ ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., Room 179, MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

Public comments also may be made at one final public hearing and a State Transportation Board study session on June 3. The hearing will be held virtually and begin at 9 a.m.

Meetings may be accessed through the State Board website at http://aztransportationboard.gov.