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Tue May 02, 2023 - West Edition #10
As warming weather allows the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin more permanent repairs to highways after a rough winter, the agency is reallocating $50.5 million to replace deteriorating pavement surfaces within 23 locations, most of them in northern Arizona. Funding for the pavement repair work comes from savings on other projects.
The State Transportation Board on Friday, April 21, approved ADOT's plan to address severe roadway deterioration on segments of I-40, I-17, I-10, U.S. 60, SR 260 and SR 77. ADOT plans to recommend $40 million for similar projects in the agency's 2024-2029 Five-Year Construction Program.
"I'm proud to announce an over $50 million investment in fixing our roads," said Gov. Katie Hobbs. "For too long, Arizona has failed to invest the money we need to protect our highways and ensure a brighter future for all Arizonans. Snow and rain this winter exposed the lack of upkeep and I'm grateful to the State Transportation Board for identifying these projects and approving these critical investments."
The projects, which ADOT plans to begin as soon as possible, are in areas where pavement was already stressed in recent years due to age and use. The snow and rain during the record-setting winter created ideal conditions for potholes and other road surface damage in these highway stretches.
"ADOT's goal is to deliver the safest and most reliable highway system possible with the funding we have to make improvements around the state," said Greg Byres, ADOT state engineer and deputy director of transportation. "We know these projects to improve pavement conditions are much-needed, and we will move forward as quickly as possible."
Depending on the project, work is expected to begin from mid-May into June. These projects will consist of removing and replacing damaged surface pavement in locations within these highway stretches.
These projects are in addition to pavement repairs that continue in many areas. To address the recent issues, ADOT crews first applied temporary patches and now, with warmer weather, are beginning the more permanent repairs. These repairs often involve patching material or milled and recycled pavement and a heavy-compaction roller to fill in potholes or areas of pavement.
The repairs planned for I-17 complement a $35 million paving project that's resuming after a winter hiatus. Alongside shorter-term pavement repairs, this project will help address rough conditions on 29 mi. of southbound Interstate 17 near Flagstaff.