State Transportation Board approves 2018-2022 Five-Year Construction Program
PHOENIX –- (RealEstateRama) — Projects will increase capacity on key commerce corridors including Interstate 10, State Route 189, US 93 and Interstate 17 under the Arizona Department of Transportation’s construction program covering fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
On Friday, the State Transportation Board approved an annual update to ADOT’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program, which includes projects in Greater Arizona and the Maricopa County and Pima County regions. This followed a three-month comment period allowing the public and agencies to provide feedback.
“Connectivity and reliability are crucial for an ever-expanding state highway system like Arizona’s, especially as the population continues to grow and businesses choose to relocate here,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Projects in ADOT’s Five-Year Construction Program will help move people, goods and services, generate commerce and economic activity through investments in major freight and travel corridors, and deliver on the agency’s commitment to not only maintain but improve the quality of pavement, bridges and other infrastructure.”
ADOT is able to accelerate some major expansion projects for Greater Arizona because of federal funding increases, grants and state budget appropriations. Key commerce corridors like Interstate 10, State Route 189, US 93 and Interstate 17 will all see capacity improvements over the next five years. In addition, construction of a dust-detection and warning system along I-10 near Picacho Peak will move forward as part of the newly adopted program.
ADOT is also committed to protecting Arizona’s nearly $21 billion investment in the state highway system through dedicated preservation funding. This Five-Year Program meets ADOT’s target of $260 million per year for preservation. Projects like repaving highways, repairing or reconstructing bridges and projects to extend the life of existing pavement all help to preserve the highway system and keep it functioning as it should.
The State Transportation Board’s approval of the Five-Year Program followed a call for public comment in March and three public hearings in Tucson, Flagstaff and Phoenix. In general, projects begin as part of the agency’s long-range visioning process, move into a 20-year plan and a six- to 10-year development program and then become part of the Five-Year Program, which is developed by working closely with local planning organizations and community leaders to identify projects that are ready to build or design.
Funding for the Five-Year Program is generated by the users of transportation services, primarily through gasoline and diesel fuel taxes and the vehicle license tax. Both the Maricopa and Pima county regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales tax increases that allow for more expansion projects to take place.
The 2018-2022 Five-Year Program is now published and can be found at azdot.gov/fiveyearprogram.
