THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
Drivers who use the Superstition Freeway (US 60) will be glad to hear the upcoming project to add lanes and other improvements to US 60 will be completed in just 26 months, instead of an estimated three years.
The State Transportation Board today awarded a $184 million contract to Granite-Sundt, a joint venture, to reconstruct the Superstition Freeway between I-10 and Val Vista Drive (13 miles). This is the largest highway construction contract in Arizona history.
Work on the project will gear up in June, when crews lay the groundwork for construction of an elevated ramp for HOV (carpool) lanes at the I-10/US 60 Interchange. At the same time, freeway widening work initially will concentrate on the US 60 eastbound lanes between I-10 and Val Vista.
''This project will be built at a fast pace while our team also concentrates on limiting traffic restrictions whenever possible,'' said ADOT Director Mary Peters.
Among the improvements to be completed during the Superstition Improvement Project:
HOV (carpool) lanes in each direction between I-10 and Val Vista Drive.
Extra general use lanes between Alma School Road and Val Vista, including two general use lanes in each direction between Alma School and Gilbert Roads.
Merge lanes (auxiliary lanes) between interchanges for safer, more efficient traffic flow.
10 thousand new trees to be planted to improve aesthetics along the freeway (300 existing mature trees will be replanted).
Construction of masonry walls and earthen berms as sound barriers.
New freeway lighting, signage and traffic management technology (freeway cameras, traffic sensors and overhead message boards).
Construction crews will keep the freeway open to three lanes in each direction during peak daytime travel hours. Most construction-related restrictions will be limited to nighttime hours--after 9 p.m.--with some necessary weekend closures.
The contractors also have made a major decision to keep all traffic interchanges open, with the exception of month long closures of the westbound exit and eastbound on-ramps at Mill Avenue.
''We'll need to limit ramps to single lanes and some short term closures will be necessary but we're committed to providing access on and off the Superstition,'' said Garry Higdem, vice president of Granite's Heavy Construction Division.
Director Peters said ADOT and the contractors will be ''Sharing the Superstition'' with drivers while the improvements are underway.
''We'll provide as much space as possible and limit restrictions. But we also need drivers to know they're sharing the freeway with construction workers. Safety is a key concern. We're asking drivers to stay alert, slow down and give themselves some extra travel time.''
Information about the Superstition Improvement Project is available via a web site at www.superstitionfreeway.com and a telephone hotline at 1-877-700-US60.
Drivers who use the Superstition Freeway (US 60) will be glad to hear the upcoming project to add lanes and other improvements to US 60 will be completed in just 26 months, instead of an estimated three years.
The State Transportation Board today awarded a $184 million contract to Granite-Sundt, a joint venture, to reconstruct the Superstition Freeway between I-10 and Val Vista Drive (13 miles). This is the largest highway construction contract in Arizona history.
Work on the project will gear up in June, when crews lay the groundwork for construction of an elevated ramp for HOV (carpool) lanes at the I-10/US 60 Interchange. At the same time, freeway widening work initially will concentrate on the US 60 eastbound lanes between I-10 and Val Vista.
''This project will be built at a fast pace while our team also concentrates on limiting traffic restrictions whenever possible,'' said ADOT Director Mary Peters.
Among the improvements to be completed during the Superstition Improvement Project:
HOV (carpool) lanes in each direction between I-10 and Val Vista Drive.
Extra general use lanes between Alma School Road and Val Vista, including two general use lanes in each direction between Alma School and Gilbert Roads.
Merge lanes (auxiliary lanes) between interchanges for safer, more efficient traffic flow.
10 thousand new trees to be planted to improve aesthetics along the freeway (300 existing mature trees will be replanted).
Construction of masonry walls and earthen berms as sound barriers.
New freeway lighting, signage and traffic management technology (freeway cameras, traffic sensors and overhead message boards).
Construction crews will keep the freeway open to three lanes in each direction during peak daytime travel hours. Most construction-related restrictions will be limited to nighttime hours--after 9 p.m.--with some necessary weekend closures.
The contractors also have made a major decision to keep all traffic interchanges open, with the exception of month long closures of the westbound exit and eastbound on-ramps at Mill Avenue.
''We'll need to limit ramps to single lanes and some short term closures will be necessary but we're committed to providing access on and off the Superstition,'' said Garry Higdem, vice president of Granite's Heavy Construction Division.
Director Peters said ADOT and the contractors will be ''Sharing the Superstition'' with drivers while the improvements are underway.
''We'll provide as much space as possible and limit restrictions. But we also need drivers to know they're sharing the freeway with construction workers. Safety is a key concern. We're asking drivers to stay alert, slow down and give themselves some extra travel time.''
Information about the Superstition Improvement Project is available via a web site at www.superstitionfreeway.com and a telephone hotline at 1-877-700-US60.
