By Krandall Brantley | Cronkite News
Drivers will temporarily encounter construction delays but ultimately end with longer, wider freeways and other improvements to some of the most traveled roads in Arizona under a five-year plan from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Building the South Mountain Freeway in the southeast Valley and improving roads near Tucson, Scottsdale, Wickenburg, northern Arizona and along the Mexico border are part of a $4.5 billion construction plan. Some projects will start as soon as this year.
The high-priority projects will ease traffic woes, add jobs and spur other economic development, said Laura Douglas, ADOT spokeswoman.
Other key road projects include:
Completing two I-10 projects that will complete a goal of widening the entire stretch of I-10 from Casa Grande to Tucson to a six-lane divided highway.
Improving State Route 189 in Nogales to help commerce between Interstate 19 and the port of entry.
Adding a railroad overpass on State Route 347 in Maricopa.
Here’s a look at upcoming ADOT projects in Maricopa, Pima counties and elsewhere in Arizona. Zoom in to find construction near you:
Maricopa County
Freeway: Loop 202, South Mountain Freeway
Cost: $973 million
Construction duration: Late 2016-2019
What happens: The 22-mile-long South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeways. The freeway extension will run east and west along Pecos Road and north and south between 55th and 63rd avenues, connecting with I-10 on each end.
Freeway: Interstate 10, from the Phoenix airport to Chandler
Cost: $324 million
Construction duration: 2019-2021
What happens: Widening the freeway and other improvements from 32nd Street near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to the Santan Freeway (Loop 202) in Chandler. The project includes improvements along the Broadway Way curve to help traffic flow.
Freeway: Interstate 10, southeast Valley
Cost: $74 million
Construction duration: 2019-2021
What happens: Build a lane and a carpool lane (HOV, or High Occupancy Vehicle) for six miles in each direction from Santan Freeway to Riggs Road.
Freeway: Pima Freeway, Loop 101, northwest Valley
Cost: $61 million
Construction duration: 2021
What happens: Building a six-mile lane in both directions from State Route 51 to Shea Boulevard
Freeway: Loop 101, Pima Freeway, in Scottsdale
Cost: $53 million
Construction duration: 2021
What happens: Build a six-mile lane in both directions from Princess Drive to Shea Boulevard
Pima County
Freeway: Interstate 10, Ina Road traffic interchange
Cost: $93 million
Construction duration: 2017-2018
What happens: Elevate Ina Road to pass over I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.
Freeway: Interstate 10, Houghton Road traffic interchange
Cost: $46 million
Construction duration: 2020-2021
What happens: Still in design phase
Freeway: Interstate 10, Ruthrauff Road traffic interchange
Cost: $106 million
Construction duration: 2017-2020
What happens: I-10 will be lowered to ground level, with Ruthrauff Road raised over I-10, which will have four lanes in each direction separated by a median barrier. Ruthrauff Road will be two lanes in each direction. Frontage roads and ramps will be reconstructed to meet the new profiles on I-10 and Ruthrauff Road.
Freeway: Interstate 10, Country Club Road traffic interchange
Cost: $21 million
Construction duration: 2019- 2021
What happens: Still in design phase
Freeway: Interstate 19, Ajo Way traffic interchange
Cost: $29 million
Construction duration: 2018-2019
What happens: The reconstruction project is in its second phase, which will include widening I-19 and Ajo Way, adding noise walls near Michigan Avenue and Ajo Way, drainage improvement, replacing the Michigan Avenue pedestrian bridge and the Santa Cruz River Bridge.
Wickenburg, Prescott, the border and elsewhere in Arizona
Freeway: State Route 189, Nogales to Interstate 19
Cost: $70 million
Construction duration: 2018-2021
What happens: Efficient travel between Arizona and Mexico at the Mariposa Port of Entry
Freeway: State Route 347, Railroad Overpass
Cost: $49 million
Construction duration: 2017
What happens: Easing traffic jams at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing in Maricopa County by replacing the at-grade intersection with an overpass on SR 347.
Freeway: Interstate 10, State Route 87 to Picacho
Cost: $85 million
Construction duration: 2018
What happens: Widening the highway in both directions to three lanes
Freeway: Interstate 10, Early road to Interstate 8
Cost: $40 million
Construction duration: 2019
What happens: Widening the highway to three lanes in both directions
Freeway: US 93, Tegner Drive to State Route 89
Cost: $53 million
Construction duration: 2017-2020
What happens: Widening a three-mile stretch along US 93 near Wickenburg to a four-lane divided highway
Freeway: State Route 89, State Route 89A to Deep Well Ranch Road
Cost: $15 million
Construction duration: 2017
What happens: Widening from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway
Freeway: US 60, Show Low to 40th Street
Cost: $7 million
Construction duration: 2017
What happens: Widening the roadway, adding turn lanes and improving intersections
Freeway: US 93, Carrow to Stephens
Cost: $35.5 million
Construction duration: 2021
What happens: Widening a three-mile section of US 93 north of Wikieup
