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2007 Public Owner of the Year: ADOT
State Agency Drives Over $600 Million in Construction
by David M. Brown
According to McGraw-Hill Dodge, ADOT has 56 projects worth
$618.8 million in final design or construction phase, more
than any other public entity in the Southwest. Based on this
effort, ADOT has been named Southwest Contractor's public
owner of the year.
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"We are gratified to be selected for this honor,"
said Victor Mendez, ADOT director since 2001. "We are
ready to work with our partners to face the challenges that
come with building an ever-expanding state transportation
system to serve the needs of our growing population."
ADOT's five-year highway construction program totals $4 billion,
including $1.4 billion for the Phoenix-area freeway system.
No Exits from Highways Challenges
Navigating challenges - communication, higher material and
fuel costs, funding limitations and statewide growth - is
part of ADOT's success.
"Our management and staff strive to build and maintain
a transportation system that successfully links Arizona to
the global economy," said Mendez, who has also begun
a year-long role as president of the American Association
of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Washington-based
organization representing the nation's DOTs. "We continue
to stress efforts to minimize disruptions for drivers as well
as nearby residents and businesses. That interaction is important.
We're doing a better job of working with local communities."
Among the current statewide projects (see sidebar for full
list and details): the $200 million Interstate 10 Improvement
Project near downtown Tucson, a Kiewit Western/Sundt joint
venture; the $195 million Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway segment
southeast of Power road in Mesa, a Pulice Construction project;
and the $30.5 million East Flagstaff Traffic Interchange by
Vastco.
Mendez said the Tucson and Mesa projects "are definitely
a sign of the times.
When finished, they will make a huge difference for our customers.
They are also examples of the increase in construction costs."
GCs Commend ADOT's Drive
Contractors acknowledge ADOT's active cooperation. "Our
company takes great pride in partnering with owners to construct
quality roadways delivered on time at a fair price," said
Stephen Basila, president of Phoenix-based Pulice Construction,
which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. "ADOT shares
our mantra, and partnering has become part of our project culture."
Pulice has constructed more freeway miles for ADOT than any
other contractor during the past 15 years, completing numerous
projects on the Red Mountain, Santan, Price Road, SR 51 and
Agua Fria freeways.
Dave Richards, Arizona branch manager for another partner, Tucson-based
Granite Construction Co., said, "ADOT sets the standard
for partnering among the agencies with whom we do business."
Granite's recent ADOT contracts include construction work on
interstates 10 and 19 and state routes 189, 177 and 189.
"ADOT has earned this award by being a true partner with
industry," said Matt Gully, president/COO of Tempe-based
FNF Construction. "The agency has developed quality specifications,
which allow the contractor to be compensated for value-added
additions."
No Free Ways to Better Roadways
Keeping costs controlled is one element of ADOT's success. "In
the aftermath of the Gulf hurricanes, we decided to closely
monitor costs so the agency could be prepared to deal with the
effects here," Mendez said. "We've been able to keep
projects on track while making people aware of factors we can't
control."
David Martin, president of the Arizona Chapter, Associated General
Contractors, praised ADOT for working toward solutions to overcome
significant price increases in commodities. "Our subcommittees
are looking at ways to decrease high-cost commodity content
items with products that are equal in quality and strength,"
he said.
In addition, the AGC and ADOT cooperated with the Maricopa Association
of Governments and the Legislature to pass Proposition 400 (the
transportation tax extension) in Maricopa County.
Approved by Maricopa County voters in November 2004, that proposition
extended the Maricopa County half-cent sales tax for transportation
funding another 20 years, beginning at the start of 2006.
The half-cent tax funds the $15.8 billion Regional Transportation
Plan, which outlines Phoenix-area transportation improvements
for the next two decades: freeway projects as well as transit
(bus system, light rail) and local street improvements.
Managed by the Maricopa Association of Governments, the RTP
funding will allow the region to anticipate projects of major
concern.
Tucson voters also approved the Regional Transportation Authority
plan in the spring for Pima County. "While we have to acknowledge
that funding is still limited, we're able to do a lot more because
the RTP was approved," says Doug Nintzel, ADOT public information
officer.
Last summer, Gov. Janet Napolitano and state lawmakers agreed
to use a portion of the state's budget surplus to accelerate
highway projects across Arizona. This Statewide Transportation
Acceleration Needs account set aside $307 million to speed highway
construction.
The funds have been divided among regions based on population
needs. The Maricopa County/Phoenix area will receive $186 million.
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Among the projects being considered in Maricopa County are the
widening of Interstate 17 between the Carefree Highway and the
booming Anthem community as well as the widening of Interstate
10 between the Loop 303 (Sarival Road) and Verrado, another
master-planned community west of Phoenix.
"STAN is a positive step in the right direction,"
Mendez said. "It represents an acknowledgement on the part
of our elected officials that transportation is vital to the
state's economic fortunes."
In 2007, ADOT will complete a number of projects (see sidebar).
In Mesa alone, these include the $73.7 million widening of U.S.
60 (Superstition Freeway); the $71.4 million "SuperRedTan"
Interchange Phase 2 project linking U.S. 60 to the Loop 202;
and the $67.4 million Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway extension
between Southern Avenue and University Drive.
In Phoenix, ADOT will begin work on the estimated $200 million
project to expand Interstate 17 between the Loop 101 and Carefree
Highway (State Route 74). In addition, ADOT plans a general-purpose
and carpool lane in each direction along a 7-mi. stretch of
the freeway.
In the same area of I-17, interchanges at Jomax Road and Dixileta
Drive will be built, the Carefree Highway interchange reconstructed
and a connection with Loop 303 at the Lone Mountain Road alignment
constructed.
Growth is a tremendous challenge, Mendez said. Recently, the
governor assembled representatives of agencies impacted by growth
to plan strategies for dealing with the impacts on the state's
infrastructure and environment.
In this regard, one of ADOT's challenges is to encourage land-use
planners to work closer with transportation planners. "It
will make a big difference if land-use planners incorporate
highways into what they're doing," Mendez said.
Major
ADOT Projects Currently Under Construction
Interstate
10 Improvement Project
Location: Prince Street to 29th Street,
Tucson
Contractor: Kiewit Western/Sundt
(Joint Venture)
Contract amount: $200 million
Scheduled completion: Spring 2010
Description: Adds fourth general-purpose
lane and auxiliary lanes in each
direction along 6.5 mi.
Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway
Location: Power Road to University
Drive, Mesa
Contractor: Pulice Construction Inc.
Contract amount: $195 million
Scheduled completion: Summer 2008
Description: New 5-mi. segment of
freeway will complete Loop 202 in Mesa.
US 60/Loop 202 "SuperRedTan"
Interchange (Phase Two)
Location: Junction of U.S. 60 and Loop
202, Mesa
Contractor: Pulice Construction Inc.
Contract amount: $71.4 million
Scheduled completion: Summer 2007
Description: Multitiered interchange
completes ramps connecting freeways,
builds Loop 202 mainline between
Baseline Road and Southern Avenue.
U.S. 60 Superstition Freeway Improvement
Project
Location: Gilbert Road to Power Road Mesa
Contractor: FNF Construction Inc.
Contract amount: $73.7 million
Scheduled completion: Summer 2007
Description: Widens U.S. 60 from three
to six lanes in each direction, adds
rubberized asphalt surface.
East Flagstaff Traffic Interchange
Location: I-40 and Country Club Drive,
Flagstaff
Contractor: Vastco Inc.
Contract amount: $30.5 million
Scheduled completion: Fall 2007
(weather permitting)
Description: Reconstructs interchange.
Major ADOT Projects Coming
in 2007
Interstate 17 Improvement
Project
Location: Loop 101 to SR 74 (Carefree
Highway), Phoenix
Programmed amount: $182 million
Anticipated start: Fall 2007
Description: Adds two lanes, including
carpool lanes, in each direction.
Interstate 10 Improvement Project
Location: Loop 101 to Sarival Road,
Goodyear
Programmed amount: $90 million
Anticipated start: Fall 2007
Description: New lanes, including car-
pool lanes, in each direction.
Loop 101 Carpool Lanes
Location: Princess Drive to Loop 202,
Scottsdale
Programmed amount: $65 million
Anticipated start: Summer 2007
Description: Carpool lanes along 14 mi.
of Loop 101 Pima Freeway
Interstate 10 Interchange
at Twin Peaks
Location: I-10 and Twin Peaks, Marana
Programmed amount: $28 million
Anticipated start: Winter 2007
Description: New interchange.
Interstate 17 Interchange
at Carefree Highway
Location: Junction of I-17 and SR 74,
Phoenix
Programmed amount: $17 million
Anticipated start: Summer 2007
Description: Reconstruct interchange
with partial cloverleaf design.
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