Four Corners 6, March 24, 2024

Span Setters Crews Placing 217 Girders as Part of Arizona’s I-10 Project

The Arizona Department of Transportation recently announced that the Interstate 10 Project in the Tucson area is close to 50 percent complete as work crews have now set more than 80 bridge girders in place and installed large sections of the new concrete driving surface.

Crews began reconstructing a portion of Interstate 10 in Tucson, Ariz., a little over a year ago, but work is quickly progressing and the Arizona Department of Transportation recently announced that the project is now close to halfway complete.

According to the latest updates, work is now more than 40 percent complete on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s project to reconstruct and widen I10 between Ina and Ruthrauff roads, with work starting just less than one year ago.

A key element of the project involves placing 217 girders for nine new bridges, and most of those girders along I-10 will be set by the end of March. Meanwhile,

work crews have completed 80 percent of concrete paving work and are now turning to concrete drainage features and barriers.

That concrete barrier work is key to a future milestone that will return drivers back to I-10 itself

rather than using the current detour along frontage roads. Once the barrier work is complete by late summer, westbound and eastbound I10 traffic will shift to the reconstructed freeway lanes. see SPAN page 6

A key element of the project involves placing 217 girders for nine new bridges, and most of those girders along I-10 will be set by the end of March.

More Than 1,000 Professionals Attend Utah Asphalt Show

The 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference, held from Feb. 27 to 28, 2024, at the Mountain America Expo Center, marked a resounding success for the asphalt pavement industry in Utah.

This year’s event attracted 1,082 attendees and featured 94 exhibitors and nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of bulk space, showcasing the latest in industry innovations and services. Participants benefited from more than 35 educational sessions, alongside inspirational keynotes in four general sessions, driving forward the conversation on industry trends, technologies and best practices.

A highlight was the awarding of nine scholarships, thanks to generous contributions raising more than $8,300 for the scholarship fund, underscoring the industry’s commitment to nurturing future talent. The conference also hosted its annual dinner at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, recognizing outstanding industry achievements with awards for Project of the Year and Industry Leader of the Year.

Further engaging with the next generation, nearly 200 high school students from the Wasatch Front explored the industry first-hand, an initiative that promises to spark interest in the asphalt pavement sector among young minds. The conference not only celebrated current industry achievements, but also set the stage for future innovation and growth, looking forward to welcoming professionals back from Feb. 19 to 20, 2025. 

(All photographs in this article are Copyright 2024 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)

Plenty

This year’s event attracted 1,082 attendees and featured 94 exhibitors.

M’Kay McGrath (L), vice president of sales, and Ken Follett, territory sales manager, are here to show contractors ways that they can can save time and money by turning your loader into a powerful utility trencher or reclaimer/stabilizer.

(L-R): Jordan McFarland, Garrett Allyn, Tony Payan and Josh Sumsion. Arnold Machinery Company showcased a variety of Volvo Construction Equipment, including the new Electric ECR25, DD25 and L260 during the conference.

(L-R): Noah Braithwaite, David Foulger and Mike Grant, Salt Lake regional salesmen of Century Equipment. The company is showcasing some futuristic equipment this year, from a mini wheel loader to the brand-new EV all electric mini excavator.

of sponsors helped make this show a success.

(L-R): Chris Baron, vice president of sales; Eric Lee, equipment sales; Trevor Brindley, general manager; Jake Hansen, equpiment sales; Bill Royce, of ASTEC; Mark Hansen, equipment sales; and Paul Jeo, equipment sales. Goodfellow Corporation supports UAPA members and customers within the marketplace with asphalt recycling products like the Astec 3100 Prosizer.

JD Wagstaff (L) and Mike Schultz are ready to discuss the many ways that Kimball Equipment can assist with new and used aggregate equipment.

Contractors Accept Awards at UAPA

A handful of awards were presented at the the 2024 Utah Asphalt Conference, held from February 27 to 28, 2024 at the Mountain America Expo Center.

2023 Quality In Preservation Award, Seep Ridge Road Impact Mitigation Project

• UINTAH Special Service District 1

UINTAH Special Service District 1, supported by a dedicated Project Team, took on the transformative Seep Ridge Road project. This 52-mi.-long corridor extends south into the Book Cliffs, serving as a crucial conduit for accessing major oil and gas extraction operations in Uintah County. Recognized as a cornerstone of infrastructure vital for both energy and recreation in the region, Seep Ridge Road underwent a substantial upgrade, transitioning from a dirt road to a fully paved highway during the mid-2000s.

The Seep Ridge Road Impact Mitigation Project tackled various challenges, including the repair of settled roadway areas over large culverts and addressing other pavement distress issues. This initiative involved applying a meticulous crack seal along the entire length of the project, followed by sealing the entire surface with micro-surfacing and the final touch of paint striping. The project’s remarkable quantities encompassed 1,474,000 sq. yds. of micro-surfacing and 9,775 gal. of pavement marking paint, marking a testament to the scale and precision of the undertaken improvements.

2023 Pavement Preservation Project of Year Award, I-70; MP 154.8 to Green River Structure

• Intermountain Slurry Seal Inc.

The UDOT I-70 project addressed diverse road issues, including uneven surfaces and rutted sections. Aimed at enhancing road quality and safety, the project focused on asphalt maintenance, particularly in the outside lanes where irregularities were more pronounced. The primary goal was to eliminate ruts and improve the Mean Roughness Index (MRI).

To achieve this, the project utilized Road Smoothing (grinding) for the outside lanes, Micro-surfacing Scratch Course for rut filling and comprehensive Micro-surfacing across the entire road width. New delineators, signs and pavement markings were also installed.

2023 Innovative Project of Year Award, HiMod Projects

• Utah Department of Transportation, Staker Parson Materials & Construction, Geneva Rock Products and Granite Inc.

The implementation of an innovative High Performance Highly Modified Asphalt Pavement (HiMod) played a crucial role in the success and preservation of several projects in Utah. The HiMod Mix, featured PG 76-34 binder, aimed at achieving a density target of 96 percent of Gmm, 1 to 1.5 percent air voids at 50 gyrations, 6.0 percent minimum binder content and allowing for 15 percent reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP).

Staker Parson Materials & Construction made history on June 3, 2021, by being the first to use this innovative mixture at their plant and later on the I-80 East Bound Port of Entry Ramp. This pioneering project demonstrated the mix’s ability to endure transportation through the shuttle buggy after a long haul and be placed in a single 6-inch thick lift, achieving densities of 96 percent or better. The high binder content and low void mix compacted effectively, resulting in a durable, rut-resistant pavement.

Geneva Rock Products further validated the HiMod Mix during the SR 196 project from Mile Post 24 to I-80 in May 2023. This 13-mi. project marked the first full-scale application of the mixture, showcasing its effectiveness in constructing a thin overlay pavement.

Lastly, Granite Construction introduced the HiMod Mix to structural bridge decks during the I-84/80 Echo Junction Structure Bridge Deck and I-15 Bridge Decks in Region One.

2023 Quality in Construction Award, West Davis Highway

• Staker Parson Materials & Construction

The West Davis Corridor project, spanning from Centerville to Syracuse in Davis County, was spearheaded by Staker Parson Materials & Construction. The project aimed to address traffic congestion issues by constructing a new 16-mi., four-lane divided highway. The project, totaling $550 million, included the construction of a freeway-to-freeway interchange connecting the West Davis Corridor to I-15 & SR 67 (Legacy Parkway), along with five grade-separated interchanges and a 10-mi. trail system.

Despite challenges, the project managed to achieve completion six months ahead of schedule. Noteworthy was the innovative approach to pavement design, which incorporated high resilient modulus UTBC to reduce pavement thickness, optimizing materials and cost.

2023 Small Project of Year Award, South Jordan Mill, Overlay

• Black Forest Paving, LLC

Black Forest Paving undertook an asphalt mill and overlay project on various collector and residential streets, including the overlay of parking lots at the historic Gale Center and South Jordan City Cemetery roads. A comprehensive traffic control plan was devised and implemented for all roadways. Subcontractors played a crucial role in lowering/raising utility collars and executing roadway striping for each road involved in the project, which spanned over 30 roads across the city.

The successful completion of the project involved placing 18,514 tons of asphalt. The achievement can be attributed to the seamless coordination and hard work of diverse individuals, including those in field operations, experienced personnel, and those involved in the continuous delivery of mix, paving and quality control. This collaborative effort ensured the project's success and met the highest standards of quality.

2025 Large Project of Year Award, U.S. 89 Farmington to I-84

• Oak Hills Constructors Joint Venture (Granite and RLW )

Oak Hills Constructors Joint Venture (Granite and RLW) successfully enhanced connectivity between U.S. 89 and Main Street, S.R. 193 and Interstate 84. The project involved the construction of new frontage roads in specific sections to enhance access to existing frontage roads and local streets. These enhancements significantly improved local traffic access to the new interchanges, facilitating efficient cross-traffic.

The frontage roads were designed with shared shoulders that also serve as a parallel bicycle route. Throughout the project, 272,000 tons of asphalt were meticulously placed, resulting in the development of over 36 lane mi. of roadway. The collective effort of the team amounted to over one million man-hours, showcasing the commitment to project success. 

Concrete barrier work is key to a future milestone that will return drivers back to I-10 itself rather than using the current detour along frontage roads.

Crews Rebuilding Bridges, Working On Interchanges

“The project required widening I-10 to four lanes in each direction and reconstruction of the traffic interchange,” Sundt said in a statement. “Other improvements included widening Ruthrauff Road near I-10, reconstructing the I-10 frontage roads to connect to the new interchange and other miscellaneous work including constructing concrete barriers, storm drain, guardrail, granite mulch, landform graphics, signing and pavement marking.”

When traffic returns to I-10, crews will then focus on finishing the Orange Grove Road interchange, which is expected to reopen in late 2024.

“This is an important project for the Tucson area,” said Rod Lane, ADOT’s engineer of the Southcentral District. “The new interchange will allow traffic to move more quickly through the area and we’re improving safety because drivers will no longer have to cross the railroad tracks.”

After that, work shifts to the Sunset Road interchange. As part of that interchange work, ADOT will construct a project funded by Pima County that will extend Sunset Road east to River Road with new bridges over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the Rillito River.

The overall project will continue through late 2025, when the Sunset Road interchange will reopen.

Other project improvements include:

• Rebuilding the Orange Grove Road bridges to allow for higher clearance;

• New Orange Grove and Sunset road interchanges that will feature additional lanes on entrance and exit ramps to promote safety and reduce delays;

• Replacing all nine bridges in the project area, including those over Canada del Oro Wash and Rillito River;

• Constructing an access path to the Chuck Huckelberry Loop from Sunset Road;

• Related work on lighting, landscaping and drainage.

The I-10 project is part of the Regional Transportation Authority’s roadway improvement plan, managed by the Pima Association of Governments. 

(All photos courtesy of Arizona Department of Transportation.)

SPAN from page 1

Arizona Seeks Input On Five-Year, $7.9B Transportation Plan

The Arizona Department of Transportation is targeting pavement improvements and expanding several key highways as major parts of its Tentative Five-Year Construction Program for 20252029. This proposed annual update to the ADOT’s list of projects in design and construction is now available for public comment through late May.

A major emphasis of the proposed $7.9 billion tentative program is improving highway pavement and bridge infrastructure throughout greater Arizona, which encompasses areas outside of Maricopa and Pima counties. The plan would provide more than $2.4 billion for these high-priority improvements during the next five years. This amounts to an average investment of approximately $600 million per year to preserve, rehabilitate and replace pavement and bridges, including:

• $508 million in pavement projects on interstates 10, 17 and 40;

• $690 million in pavement projects on other routes, including US 93 and 60, and state routes 64, 160, 260 and 347;

• $170 million in bridge projects on the interstates and $82 million on other routes.

The program provides a total of $685 million over five years for projects that improve highway safety, efficiency and functionality, such as intersection improvements, smart technology and adding shoulders.

The tentative program also allocates $495 million for projects that widen highways or improve interchanges across greater Arizona, including:

• Constructing the Interstate 40/U.S. 93 West Kingman Interchange;

• Widening and improving U.S. 93 between Wickenburg and I-40 in Kingman,

including expanding three segments of the highway from two to four lanes. The U.S. 93 improvements include the ongoing widening project near Wickenburg, along with new projects near Cane Springs and Big Jim Wash;

• Widening the last two-lane section of State Route 260 in the Lion Springs area between Payson and Heber-Overgaard. This will complete a four-lane divided highway along the entire SR 260 corridor.

In the Maricopa County region, the program features $2.5 billion in construction projects planned in conjunction with the Maricopa Association of Governments. Those projects include:

• Widening Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande. The I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor will have four projects, including the construction of the I-10 bridges over the Gila River, expected to go into construction later this spring;

• Extending Loop 303 between Van Buren Street and Maricopa County 85 starting in 2025;

• Widening I-10 between State Route 85

SmithCo Announces Its New Dealer to Sell Dump Trailers

SmithCo Mfg. Inc., an industry leader in side dump trailer design and manufacturing, has reached an agreement with Utility Trailer Sales Company of Arizona to sell SmithCo’s premium line of side dump trailers.

Utility Arizona has two locations: Tolleson and Tucson.

“As interest in SmithCo side sumps continues to grow in Arizona, we are excited to add Utility Trailer Sales of Arizona to our SmithCo Dealer network,” said Todd Karolczak, SmithCo’s director of sales & marketing. “Customers will appreciate their service capabilities. Utility’s fabulous newer location in the Phoenix area really

enhances the customer experience. They are invested in helping customers gain efficiency and safety with top-notch equipment like SmithCo.”

Utility Trailer of Arizona was established in 1943. Its facility is more than 60,000 sq.ft. and notably houses a frame straightening rack, a laser alignment rack, a temperaturecontrolled foam-in-place insulation booth, a wash bay, and two cranes each capable of lifting five-tons. In addition to Utilitybranded trailers, it offers a variety of new and used flatbeds, dry vans and belly dump trailers.

For more information, visit www.sidedump.com and www.utilityaz.com/.

and Citrus Road in the far West Valley starting in 2025;

• Providing new HOV ramp connections between I-10 and Loop 101 starting in 2025.

• Reconstructing the intersection where U.S. 60 (Grand Avenue) intersects 35th Avenue and Indian School Road. The rebuilt intersection would separate cross traffic from Grand Avenue and the existing railroad crossing to improve traffic flow and safety, starting in 2025.

In Pima County, in association with the Pima Association of Governments, the program includes $849 million toward:

• I-10 improvements from Kino to

Country Club, which includes building a new interchange at I-10 and Country Club Road, while also widening I-10 in the area starting in 2025;

• Reconstructing the I-19 interchange at Irvington Road starting in 2025.

Funding for the statewide program comes from federal and state dollars, in addition to money generated by users of transportation services in Arizona, primarily through gasoline and diesel fuel taxes and the Arizona vehicle license tax. Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have voter-approved sales taxes for transportation that funds expansion projects.

ADOT’s five-year program is developed by working closely with local governments, regional transportation planning organizations and Indian Tribal Communities to prioritize projects that are ready to build or design.

The public comment period for the 20252029 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program ends at 5 p.m. Friday, May 24. The State Transportation Board is expected to consider formal action on the final program at its June 21 meeting. For more information, visit azdot.gov/5yearcomments, 

Arizona Department of Transportation photo

A major emphasis of the proposed $7.9 billion tentative program is improving highway pavement and bridge infrastructure.