Major projects to begin construction with economic recovery funds

PHOENIX – The State Transportation Board decided today that 41 shovel-ready highway projects across Arizona will move forward for federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The board narrowed down a list of more than 100 ready-to-go projects statewide. These projects are designed to put Arizonans back to work while bolstering the state highway system.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will receive approximately $350 million in economic recovery funds. The funding formula allocates an estimated $130 million for Maricopa County, $46 million for Pima County and $175 million for Arizona’s 13 other counties. The projects are estimated to create more than 13,000 jobs statewide.

“The transportation projects supported by economic recovery funds will benefit every Arizonan,” said Governor Janice K. Brewer. “The creation of jobs is vital to our economy, and so are stronger connections between communities and our neighboring states. Arizonans will return to work and our roads will get the improvements they need.  I look forward to reviewing the intensive work of the State Transportation Board and to validating and certifying the eligible transportation projects.”

Of the 41 projects statewide that will move forward for economic recovery funding, five are in Maricopa County, eight are in Pima County and 28 are located in Arizona’s 13 other counties. The top three projects in MAG, PAG and Coconino County are:

Maricopa County

1. I-10: Sarival Avenue to Verrado Way (Construct one general purpose lane in each direction)

2. I-17: Carefree Highway to Anthem Way (Construct one general purpose lane in each direction)

3. US 60/Grand Avenue: Loop 303 to 99th Avenue (10 miles of widening)

Pima County

1. State Route 86: Brawley Wash segment (Roadway widening)

2. I-10: Valencia to I-19 (Freeway Management System installation) 

3. I-10: Cienega Creek to Marsh Station (Marsh Station traffic interchange reconstruction)

Greater Arizona

1. US 89: Townsend to Fernwood Road (Repave roadway)

2. US 160: Jct. US 89 to Vann’s Trading Post (Repave roadway)

3. I-40: Westbound improvements at Walnut Canyon (Reconstruct roadway)

“These projects represent a collaboration of efforts by ADOT, the State Transportation Board, regional planning associations and local governments to improve our state’s transportation network,” said John Halikowski, ADOT’s interim director. “We’re about to begin a very fast-paced process to get these approved projects to construction and get people back to work.”

ADOT will start advertising projects for bids next week. The State Transportation Board then approves the construction contracts. ADOT plans to begin construction on some of the projects by this summer. All transportation projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act must be complete within three years. In addition, other projects of opportunity from the shovel-ready list may be added later if additional funding or cost savings are available.  A complete list of these projects is available at http://www.azdot.gov/index_docs/headlines/index_030609.asp