Arizona Department of Transportation SR 179 Improvement Project
(800) 529-2876 www.scenic179.com pr@scenic179.com

Welcome to the State Route (SR) 179 Project Weekly Construction Update - your electronic connection to the SR 179 Project with the most current information on construction plans and activities.

What to Watch for Week of April 7

Project 1
Village Nearing Substantial Completion
Striping and Signage for Bikes and Peds
Preparations for Northbound Reconstruction in Forest

Project 2
New Corridor Work Graphic
Gas Line Installation Canyon to Schnebly Hill
Work Begins on Brewer Roundabout
New Lane Restrictions on 89A
Managing Traffic Backups
Work Continues in Oak Creek

Project 1

Village Nearing Substantial Completion

The two photos show SR 179 at the intersection of Bell Rock Boulevard in the Village of Oak Creek in September 2007 and then earlier this week. The roadway including curb, gutter, medians, roundabouts, and sidewalks is nearly complete. Later this summer, paving crews will come through the Village one more time to lay the final layer of rubberized asphalt. This activity has to be performed when temperatures are warmer, and will occur at night to minimize traffic impacts. Advance notice of this activity will be provided to the community.

Before

After

Striping and Signage for Bikes and Peds

Striping crews will be in the area to add bike lane and crosswalk markings in the Village this week. Sign crews also will be changing temporary signs to permanent signs. The striping that is applied this week will be temporary, due to the layer of rubberized asphalt that will be applied later this summer. The area will be re-striped at that time.

Preparations for Northbound Reconstruction in Forest

Plans are underway for the 3- to 4-month reconstruction of the northbound alignment through the Forest (where traffic flows today). Once two-way traffic is switched onto the new alignment (possibly this week), work can begin. The contractor plans to work from south to north: activities will include excavation of the existing roadway, tree salvage, various drainage structures, curb and gutter, and paving.

Project 2

New Corridor Work Graphic

(Click image for Printable version)

ADOT has developed a new visual tool to help communicate the work activities occurring on Project 2. This graphic will be continually updated and available on our website at www.scenic179.com.

Gas Line Installation Canyon to Schnebly Hill

Work will begin on the installation of a gas line between Canyon and the Y on the west side of SR 179. The first activity will be digging of the trench for the line, and this will start at Canyon and work north.

Work Begins on Brewer Roundabout

Crews will begin working on a retaining wall for the south side of the Brewer Roundabout, so work will be visible on both sides of 89A at Brewer. The work on the roundabout is anticipated to take about 2-3 months. ADOT representatives visited the businesses in the area of Brewer and 89A, including the post office, this week to speak with them about the work.

New Lane Restrictions on 89A

Northbound 89A approaching the Y will be narrowed to one lane starting Monday to accommodate the Brewer roundabout construction, which will take approximately 2-3 months. Temporary concrete barrier will be installed in place of the orange and white barricades to further secure the safe construction zone for the workers and more clearly delineate traffic lanes for motorists.

Managing Traffic Backups

ADOT has been consistently monitoring the traffic and travel times since Monday when lanes were condensed and work began in the business district. Traffic is dense because of the slower speeds but is consistently moving. There are some brief stoppages of traffic due to vehicles entering the road from the construction areas. Because of the difference in travel from pre-construction (more cars, traveling slower), it often seems as if the travel times are longer than they truly are. Please allow for extra time to get from the Village to Y, and locations in-between, during construction. It may take an additional five to 30 minutes based on travel times before construction began. ADOT remains committed to keeping travel moving in both directions and business access open. However, for the safety of the construction workers and the traveling public, speeds must be lowered, which causes additional travel time.

Another important element to maintain traffic flow is for drivers to concentrate on the road and not look at the work being done along the side of the road. That is a safety hazard and causes traffic delays and slow downs, as well.

Work Continues in Oak Creek

Work continues on the Oak Creek bridge. Currently, crews are drilling shafts and abutments and periodically performing major concrete pours. The bridge work is progressing well, and the flow of Oak Creek is being managed temporarily to allow for the work zone.
 

Please note: Changes to construction plans can happen frequently due to weather, equipment availability and personnel issues. We try to anticipate construction activities a week in advance but changes may occur. Intermittent lane closures, with short delays, may not always be known in advance.

For a complete listing of freeway and highway restrictions across Arizona visit ADOT's Travel Information Site at www.az511.com or call 5-1-1.