I-10 realignment project to begin south of Phoenix metro area
Dec 5, 2017, 4:03 PM
(ADOT Flickr Photo)
(ADOT Flickr Photo)
PHOENIX — Motorists who commute south of the Phoenix area can expect traffic delays while crews start a new highway project along Interstate 10 this week, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The project, which covers a four-mile stretch, will realign and widen I-10 near state Route 87 south to the town of Picacho, Ariz.
The project will begin on Sunshine Boulevard, just south of Eloy, ADOT said in a press release.
The design will add a lane in each direction of I-10 once the project is complete. Construction is expected to be complete by the fall of 2019.
“The project includes two elements that will enhance safety for those using this busy section of Interstate 10,” ADOT director John Halikowski said.
Part of the job includes creating a dust detection and warning zone designed to alert drivers of an area which is prone to blowing dust between milepost 209 and milepost 219.
Radar will be installed to detect blowing dust in mile and half-mile increments and speed limits in that area will drop from 75 mph to 35 mph. Electronic message boards will also notify drivers about conditions.
Halikowski said the dust detection project will help the flow of traffic.
“…The innovative dust detection project will provide drivers with fast information when conditions warrant. Adding a lane in each direction of I-10 will allow traffic to move more smoothly,” he said.
The highway work will widen I-10 from milepost 209 to milepost 213 and a new interchange will be added at state Route 87. Once complete, construction is expected to straighten out a stretch which is currently curved.
The ADOT highway project is funded by a $58.4 million grant and some of those monies will go toward paying for a separate widening project along Interstate 8.
