New tunnel opens as part of $106 million freeway project in Kingman

The Arizona Department of Transportation opened a new tunnel on Thursday that is part of a project meant to reduce delays on the main route between Phoenix and Las Vegas.

The $106 million project to construct a new interchange between Interstate 40 and US 93 is now 80% complete, according to ADOT.

The tunnel is 239 feet long. It is the project’s second tunnel and is expected to accommodate the most traffic. It will carry the traffic from northbound Beale Street and I-40 that is about to merge with northbound US 93 headed to Las Vegas.

The other tunnel, which opened in September 2025, is 215 feet long and serves local traffic using Fort Beale Drive.

The interchange is meant to reduce delays and eliminate motorists having to stop at a traffic signal on Beale Street at I-40. Once the project is complete, traffic will be able to flow freely between I-40 and US 93.

Additionally, crews have completed rock blasting along I-40 as well as constructing sound walls along the freeway.

What work is left on the freeway project in Kingman?

Currently, workers are paving new mile-long ramps that will connect I-40 and US 93.

In October, crews are expected to install the final bridge girders on the flyover ramp that will connect southbound US 93 to eastbound I-40.

For the work to be completed, daytime and nighttime lane restrictions will be put in place. Drivers will still be able to exit both freeways at Beale Street to access businesses, Route 66 and downtown Kingman.

The interchange is anticipated to open in 2027 with six miles of widened or newly constructed roadway. It will include five new bridges, two bridge widenings, four bridge rehabilitations and two miles of sound walls.

A new mile of highway will also be created to carry traffic northwest of the existing at I-40 and Beale Street.

Work began on the project in July 2024.

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