Arizona 9 April 29, 2018

Page 1

State Supplement sponsored by:

ARIZONA STATE EDITION

A Supplement to:

THOUSANDS of units in service Shipment in 1-3 days

®

SAME DAY shipping on parts & tools FULLY SUPPORTED by a 75 YEAR FAMILY BUSINESS

April 29 2018

10% off 10,000 ft. lb. hammers

Vol. II • No. 9

“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.” Your Arizona Connection – Debbie Hansen – 1-702-239-0348 – dhansen@cegltd.com

I-10 Widening, Dust Detection Project Under Way Near Picacho By Chuck Harvey CEG CORRESPONDENT

A warning system for dust storms — a hazard for motorists in windy parts of America’s Desert Southwest — is being built in southern Arizona. Detection of strong winds, along with warnings of possible whiteout conditions and potential vehicle damage from blowing dust and sand are part of a $58.6 million Interstate 10 widening project south of Phoenix and north of Tucson, near Picacho, Ariz. The dust detection system and warning zone is the first of its type in the nation. While dust detection equipment is being set up, a 4-mi. stretch of highway will be realigned and widened to three lanes in each direction. Previously, the highway featured two lanes each way. Construction is expected to last for about two years. Clearing of the site began in December 2017 and the improved highway should be ready for use in fall of 2019. The project is unique in addressing blowing dust, a serious problem that can hinder vision and make driving hazardous on windy days in the desert. Dust and sand also can damage car windows. Dust storms carry small rocks and other materials that can crack

Why pay more?

CALL 800-367-4937 *On approved credit • Financing Available

Arizona Department of Transportation photo

Construction crews will build a new interchange at I-10 and state Route 87. It will carry SR 87 over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

or chip the windshield. They are the third largest cause of weather fatalities in the state over the last 50 years, according to a report published in 2016 by meteorologists with the National Weather Service and a University of Arizona atmospheric sciences researcher. Fatalities from extreme heat or cold rank first and flash flooding is second, according to the report. According to the report, 157 people died and 1,324 were injured in 1,521 dust-caused incidents on Arizona highways between 1955 and 2011. Crews will set up a dust-detection and warning zone designed to alert drivers to dangerous conditions in an area prone to blowing dust. “This project includes two elements that will enhance safety for those using this busy section of Interstate 10,” said John Halikowski, ADOT director in a release. “The innovative dust detection project will provide drivers with fast information when conditions warrant.” Halikowski added that adding a lane in each direction on I-10 will allow traffic to move more smoothly through a key commerce corridor. The project includes widening of I-10 from milepost 209 to 213 and realigning the freeway to remove see INTERCHANGE page 2

ADOT Rolls Out Road Projects for Spring, Summer 2018 By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT

Work is continuing on Arizona’s largest ever single highway project, with controlled rock blasting scheduled to begin on two segments this spring. The $916 million Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway features 22 mi. of new freeway; a double roundabout interchange; 4.5 mi. of widening improvements; three genArizona Department of Transportation photo

The $916 million Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway is Arizona’s largest ever single highway project.

eral purpose and one high occupancy lanes; 40 bridges and one pedestrian bridge; five multi-use underpass crossings; 11 mi. of sound walls. 2.5 diverging diamond interchanges; 13 interchanges; and a six-milelong bike/pedestrian path. Work on the project began in 2017 and is scheduled to continue through 2019. The state partnered with multiple private firms — Fluor Enterprises Inc., Granite Construction Co., Ames Construction Inc. and lead designer Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. — to form the Connect 202 Partners. After construction is complete, Connect 202 will provide maintenance for 30 years. The South Mountain Freeway project is just one of see ADOT page 6


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.