Title
Freeway Program Update
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee updates on the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) freeway program within the City of Phoenix.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan reflects numerous freeway construction projects and studies underway within the City of Phoenix. These projects are funded from the voter approved Proposition 400 half-cent sales tax as well as from state and federal revenue sources. City of Phoenix staff are embedded with ADOT on these major construction projects to ensure coordination of all construction activities with City departments. This report is an overview of the current major freeway projects. A monthly report will be provided to the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee reflecting project changes as well as new projects.
Interstate 10 - Interstate 17 to Avondale Boulevard Pavement Improvement
This project is to extend the life of the pavement and improve the driving experience on Interstate 10 (I-10) from Interstate 17 (I-17) to Avondale Boulevard. This project was initiated by ADOT to address the potholes and uneven pavement in this corridor.
The major elements of this project include removing the existing asphalt pavement and using a diamond grinding treatment to provide a smooth roadway surface. The recently-installed section of rubberized asphalt on I-10 near the connection to the Loop 202 freeway between 43rd and 67th avenues will not be removed. An additional travel lane on westbound I-10 between 67th Avenue and Avondale Boulevard will be added by reducing the shoulder and lane widths. The striping on the southbound Loop 101 ramp to westbound I-10 will be modified to create two lanes.
There will be regular weekend closures and overnight lane restrictions on I-10 during the year-long construction project.
Construction began in September 2021 and will conclude in late 2022.
Loop 101 - I-17 To Pima Road Widening
This project is widening and improving the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) from I-17 in Phoenix east to Pima Road in Scottsdale. The improvements are needed to address growing traffic demands in the northeast Valley and relieve traffic congestion on the Loop 101 during the morning and evening peak travel periods.
The major elements of this project include adding one general purpose lane in each direction between I-17 and Pima Road, adding an auxiliary lane in each direction between Seventh Street and Cave Creek Road, and modifying freeway ramps and frontage road connections at 11 interchanges. Additional components include construction of noise or retaining walls where warranted, improvements to drainage and pavement markings, and noise reduction features.
Construction began in February 2019 and is scheduled for completion in late 2021.
I-17 Frontage Road Drainage Improvement
This ADOT project will replace the existing pump stations at the I-17 traffic interchanges at Greenway Road, Thunderbird Road, Cactus Road and Peoria Avenue with a gravity storm drain system that will discharge the storm water into the Arizona Canal Diversion Channel (ACDC). The purpose of the project is to improve the drainage facilities that remove storm runoff from the cross streets, helping to reduce the potential for flooding at the I-17 overpasses.
The project includes the installation of 30- to 90-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe along the I-17 frontage road, two detention basins at the I-17 and Thunderbird Road traffic interchange, pavement replacement on the frontage road, signing, striping, improvements to ADA features within the project area, and removal of the four existing pump stations.
Construction began in January 2020 and is expected to take two years to complete.
Update:
Construction activity around Thunderbird will be finished by December and work will start at Greenway in January.
I-17 - Central Avenue Bridge Reconstruction
The scope of this project is to replace the existing I-17 and Central Avenue bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1962 and is nearing the end of its useful service life. The existing vertical clearance of 13 feet and 11 inches over Central Avenue does not meet current design standards, prohibiting high-profile vehicles from using Central Avenue beneath the bridge, and cannot accommodate the Valley Metro South Central Light Rail Extension. The bridge will be widened to accommodate auxiliary lanes between successive ramps on I-17. The project includes new I-17 roadway approaches, retaining walls, FMS improvements, lighting improvements, drainage improvements, and signing and striping.
Construction began in April 2020 and is expected to be completed in fall 2021.
I-17 - Indian School Traffic Interchange Study
ADOT has completed an environmental study and Design Concept Report (DCR) for a project to improve traffic flow and safety at I-17 and Indian School Road. The study area encompasses Indian School Road between 19th and 31st avenues and I-17 from approximately one-half mile south and one-half mile north of Indian School Road.
After evaluating options for a new traffic interchange in this location, a three-level diamond interchange was advanced as the Recommended Build Alternative. If constructed, this interchange would include:
- A flyover bridge along Indian School Road to allow east-west through traffic to bypass the intersections at the I-17 ramps and frontage roads;
- New roadways approaching the flyover bridge with embankments and retaining walls;
- A reconstructed and widened Indian School Road to accommodate the flyover bridge and new approaches; and
- Two new pedestrian bridges - one north and one south of Indian School Road - to allow pedestrians to cross I-17 safely.
Construction funding has been moved to FY2022. When started, construction will last 18 to 24 months.
Update:
- ADOT completed 30-percent design efforts and the plans remain on hold. MAG and ADOT recently met to discuss additional options at the 27th Avenue intersection, including intersection re-configuration, structure length, and turning movement options. An analysis of alternatives is being completed now and MAG plans to share new design options to the City.
I-10 - Broadway Curve Reconstruction
The I-10 Broadway Curve project is planned to improve a segment of I-10 between the I-10/I-17 Split Traffic Interchange and the South Mountain Freeway/Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway Loop 202 near Pecos Road. The project encompasses one of the most heavily traveled segments of freeway in the Valley. Traffic volumes within this 11-mile section of I-10 exceed 250,000 vehicles per day and include vital connections to I-17, State Route 143, US-60, and Loop 202.
The proposed improvements studied included:
- Adding general purpose and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes;
- Adding a collector-distributor road system to reduce the number of lane changes on the freeway;
- Improving connections between I-10 and the State Route 143 and Broadway Road to improve HOV lane connections;
- Improving connections of I-10 and US 60 (Superstition Freeway);
- Constructing new bridges to accommodate new interchange facilities and additional lanes;
- Building retaining and sound walls; and
- Constructing pedestrian bridge crossings to improve pedestrian access across the freeway.
Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2021 and is scheduled for completion in 2024.
Loop 101 - I-17 to 75th Avenue Widening
The scope of this project is to add one general purpose lane in each direction to Loop 101/Agua Fria Freeway from I-17 to 75th Avenue. The project includes bridge widening of existing structures to accommodate the new general-purpose lanes. The project work includes diamond grind surface treatment, new concrete pavement, retaining walls, lighting, ADA improvements, drainage improvements, FMS improvements, and signing and striping.
Construction is expected to begin in 2024.
I-17 - I-10 Split to 19th Avenue Widening
The scope of this project is the construction of auxiliary lanes on I-17 between successive interchanges from 16th Street to 19th Avenue. The project includes drainage improvements, lighting improvements, retaining walls, sound walls, FMS improvements, landscaping restoration within the project area, and signing and striping. It also includes improvements to 19th Avenue to allow better access to I-17.
Construction is expected to begin in 2024.
I-10 Deck Park (Hance Park) Tunnel Repair
The Deck Park Tunnel is an underpass that carries the I-10 freeway beneath downtown Phoenix between 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street. The tunnel consists of a series of nineteen side-by-side bridge structures. Construction of the facility began in 1983 and opened to traffic on Aug. 10, 1990. The tunnel carries approximately 230,000 vehicle trips per day and provides a critical link for regional connectivity and mobility.
Leaks in the ceiling structure of the Deck Park Tunnel have occurred in the past and continue to appear. The water infiltration caused by the leaks can lead to deterioration of the tunnel infrastructure and impacts the ventilation and electrical systems, which could force closure of the tunnel to traffic. There is also concern that any damage could produce a need for repairs that would require excavation of Margaret T. Hance Park, which is undergoing a major, $100 million revitalization expected to begin in March 2020.
ADOT, MAG and the City of Phoenix initiated an I-10 Deck Park Tunnel Waterproofing Study in May 2019 because of concern with the integrity of the tunnel.
The study recommended that all joints that have not been repaired in the last five years be replaced, which comprises 15 of the 19 total joints. ADOT intends on working closely with the City of Phoenix to coordinate construction activities of the joint work with the Hance Park revitalization project to minimize cost and public disturbance.
Construction began in March 2020.
US60 (Grand Avenue) - 35th Avenue - Indian School Road Study
ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in coordination with the BNSF Railway, City of Phoenix and MAG, are initiating a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and initial DCR for the US 60 (Grand Avenue), 35th Avenue and Indian School Road intersection.
The study proposes that improvements need to be made to the US 60 corridor functionality, arterial street network multimodal opportunities (e.g., expansion of bicycle lane network), and BNSF Railway corridor capacity. These improvements would reduce traffic congestion, improve pedestrian and vehicular safety and enhance multimodal transportation options.
This project is currently in the predesign stage through mid-2022.
Loop 303 - I-17 to Lake Pleasant Parkway Update
At the request of the City of Phoenix, MAG and ADOT are conducting a DCR Update for Loop 303 from I-17 to Lake Pleasant Parkway. A 2006 DCR identified the ultimate footprint and alignment for Loop 303. The purpose of this project is to prepare a DCR update and environmental document for additional general-purpose lanes in each direction of travel. The update includes establishing new traffic models and developing, evaluating, and costing conceptual alternatives for the improvements including Traffic Interchanges (TIs) at 67th, 51st, and 43rd Avenues, as well as the system interchange at I-17. The existing Loop 303 was constructed to accommodate the future construction of these TIs.
The DCR project was initiated in October 2020 and is scheduled for completion in fall 2021.
Phoenix, MAG, and ADOT have agreed to accelerate design and construction of the new TIs at 51st and 43rd Avenues to accommodate the schedule of the new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) facility. Construction of the new TIs will be completed in summer 2023.
Update:
- A virtual public meeting about a study of planned improvements along Loop 303 between Interstate 17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway in the north Valley is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The community can participate via computer or smartphone at azdot.gov/L303PublicMeeting or via Zoom.us/join (Meeting Number (Access Code) is 879 3592 4208. Password is 303303.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the City Manager’s Office.