Public comments accepted until March 17, 2013
Sedona AZ (March 10, 2013) – It is the perfect storm that’s been brewing for the last few years as the effects of the economic downturn hit us all. The Arizona Department of Transportation has been forecasting dramatic funding challenges since 2009 that will affect projects across our state. Those economic predictions have now become a reality as ADOT begins to map out its next Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program.
The Five-Year Program is updated each year and serves as a blueprint that details where, when and how regional, state and federal funding will be spent for projects over the next five years to improve our state’s transportation infrastructure. For the 2014-2018 Five-Year Program (which is still tentative right now), ADOT has determined that $350 million must be cut due to stagnant revenue from the gas and vehicle license taxes and from decreased federal funding.
As a result, the next Five-Year Program reflects a major focus on preserving our existing state highway system while moving some programmed projects forward. Other programmed projects in the Five-Year Program will need to be delayed to future years due to significantly less funding. Preserving our system means protecting our investment of $18.4 billion; this is the value of the state highway system through monies spent on expansion, modernization and preservation projects.
The Tentative Five-Year Program is online and available for public comment now through March 17, 2013. Visit www.azdot.gov. There are three scenarios that are being considered for implementation, and all three scenarios are available for public comment:
Scenario A – Focus on Preservation: This scenario focuses the most investment on keeping the existing highway system in good repair with the least investment in programmed major projects in greater Arizona. There would be 81 preservation projects from 2014 to 2016, 39 bridge projects, one major project and 690 miles of pavement projects. An average of $184 million per year in preservation from 2014 through 2018 would be allocated. Arizona’s interstate system is projected to fall below current standards for pavement quality in 2031 with this scenario.
Scenario B – Focus on Programmed Major Projects: This scenario focuses the most investment on major projects that are programmed in greater Arizona with the lowest investment in keeping existing highways in good repair through preservation. There would be nine major projects from 2014 to 2017. From 2014 to 2016, there would be 25 bridge projects and 458 miles of pavement projects. An average of $142 million per year in preservation from 2014 to 2018 would be allocated. Arizona’s interstate system is projected to fall below current standards for pavement quality in 2017 with this scenario.
Scenario C – Combination of Preservation and Major Projects: This scenario focuses on some investment in major projects that are programmed in greater Arizona with less investment in keeping existing highways in good repair. There would be four major projects from 2014 to 2017, 39 bridge projects from 2014 to 2018 and 524 miles of pavement projects. An average of $149 million per year in preservation from 2014 to 2018 would be allocated. Arizona’s interstate system is projected to fall below current standards for pavement quality in 2021 with this scenario.
ADOT has provided the following options to submit your comments and feedback:
Email: FiveYearProgram@azdot.gov?subject=ADOT%27s%20Five-Year%20Program%20-%20Comments
Online comment form
Telephone: 855.712.8530
Print and mail the comment form: ADOT 5 Year Program, 1655 West Jackson, MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007
The State Transportation Board will consider all public comments received by May 17. Public hearings will be conducted on March 8 in Phoenix, April 12 in Tucson, and May 10 in Flagstaff to allow for additional community input. The State Transportation Board is expected to adopt the 2014-2018 Five-Year Program at its June 14, 2013, meeting in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona.
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Doesn’t help thinking of comments for ADOT & their 5 yr program when it was sent 4 days after the deadline for comments. Otherwise, I do enjoy reading your on-line publication!
Final Public Hearing this Friday for Tentative Five-Year Program – Public comments must be received by May 17, 2013.
The Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program is updated each year and serves as a blueprint that details where, when and how funding will be spent over the next five years to improve our state’s transportation infrastructure. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) continues to gather public comments on the tentative 2014-2018 Program. There are three scenarios that are being considered for implementation, and all three scenarios are available for public comment.
A final Public Hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. this Friday, May 10 at the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers: 211 W. Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Please note, motorists traveling on Interstate 17 south of Camp Verde late Thursday night into early Friday morning, May 9-10, need to plan ahead and allow extra travel time due to a construction closure.
If you can’t make it to the public hearing, don’t worry – there are plenty of other ways to comment, including:
Email: FiveYearProgram@azdot.gov
Online comment form
Telephone: 855.712.8530
Print and mail the comment form: ADOT 5 Year Program, 1655 West Jackson, MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007
It’s important that you do provide feedback because the State Transportation Board will consider all public comments that are received by May 17. The final 2014-2018 Five-Year Program will be approved at the State Transportation Board Meeting on June 14 in Pinetop-Lakeside.