Arizona DOT opens Maricopa County’s third-busiest intersection

road work cones constructionThe bridge at Bell Road and U.S. 60/Grand Ave. in Surprise, Arizona, part of a $41.9 million interchange project at Maricopa County’s third-busiest intersection, opened to motorists Nov. 22 after seven months of construction, azcentral.com reports. The new interchange will eliminate delays caused by trains on the BNSF Railway tracks along Grand Ave.

Doug Nintzel, spokeman for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), said the project team will work to complete connecting ramps and finish traffic lanes for eastbound Grand Ave., but for now, both directions of traffic will share the westbound lanes.

“The goal is to do that in time for the start of Cactus League play.,” Nintzel told the news agency. “If the contractor finishes sooner than that, we won’t complain. I’m thinking drivers won’t, either.”

According to the Surprise Police Department, there were no accidents on the bridge as of 4:15 p.m. the day it opened. “We have additional officers deployed in the area for additional traffic enforcement, however, we do not foresee any major problems,” Sgt. Timothy Klarkowski, department spokesman, told the news agency.

Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott said the bridge creates several positive changes for the city. “The residents of Surprise will see daily benefits because of this new bridge — especially through the relief of congestion,” Wolcott told the news agency in an email. “The intersection of Bell and Grand is one of the busiest in Maricopa County. Now, there is no more waiting for the train, and traffic traveling on Grand Avenue will no longer have to stop at Bell Road.”