Arizona transportation board approves five-year construction program

Updated Jun 26, 2017

Arizona Welcome SignThe Arizona State Transportation Board has approved the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) five-year construction program that includes projects aimed at increasing capacity on major commerce corridors.

“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,” says ADOT Director John Halikowski. “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.”

Some of the major projects in the five-year plan include:

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 widenthe 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.

  • 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.