Project Overview
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has worked on the design for widening Interstate 10 between Ruthrauff Road and Prince Road, and reconstructing the Prince Road traffic interchange. Currently, this stretch of I-10 is three lanes in each direction. ADOT proposes to widen the freeway to four lanes in each direction. The wider freeway would be able to handle increases in traffic.
ADOT also proposes to rebuild the I-10/Prince Road traffic interchange, so that Prince Road would pass over the Union Pacific railroad tracks and I-10. This proposal would address traffic congestion at the railroad crossing on Prince Road by allowing traffic, including emergency services vehicles, to pass over the railroad tracks in the future. ADOT developed this alternative for rebuilding the traffic interchange at the request of the City of Tucson. ADOT and the City have worked together on funding and schedule issues for this project.
ADOT has reviewed two additional alternatives for rebuilding the I-10/Prince Road traffic interchange. One alternative considered reconstructing Prince Road so that vehicles would travel underneath the railroad tracks and I-10. That alternative was cost-prohibitive, primarily due to large underground sewer lines in the area. ADOT also considered leaving the traffic interchange in its current configuration. This configuration would not address the traffic congestion at the railroad crossing.
Construction Impacts
Under ADOT's preferred alternative, the construction would take 18 months. For approximately six months, Prince Road would be closed under I-10. Some frontage road closures and ramp closures at the I-10/Prince Road traffic interchange would also occur during construction. Access to all properties in the construction area would be maintained, although drivers would need to use alternate routes.
During construction, ADOT would provide information about construction impacts through roadway signs, weekly traffic alerts, news media announcements and a project Web site. ADOT would also hold periodic meetings to discuss construction-related traffic impacts with emergency services providers, area businesses and other interested parties.
Contact Information
ADOT is seeking input from the public about the proposed design for the I-10: Ruthrauff Road to Prince Road project. Please contact the following people with comments or questions:
• Bill Schlesinger, DMJM Harris Project Manager, (520) 299-8700.
• Paki Rico, Gordley Design Group, (520) 327-6077.
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