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Despite budget woes, I-10/SR-90 project moves ahead
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Because the $44-million Interstate 10/State Route 90 intersection project is federally funded, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will move forward as planned, despite state budget cuts.
Bill Harmon, the ADOT engineer for the Safford District, said the project is moving forward as planned, with the state agency expecting to start putting out requests for proposals by January.
"There have been no discussions at this point to postpone it," Harmon said. "It is relatively safe because all of it is federal money and not subject to the whims of the state budget cuts."
While ADOT said last spring they might be able to get started this fall, Harmon said there have been some delays in getting utility clearances. The clearances are required before the project can be put out to bid.
The environmental clearances have been taken care, but ADOT officials are still working the utility clearances and as Harmon put it, "minute details."
During public hearings last spring, Harmon said the project is needed to meet the current and future needs of travel along I-10 and SR-90.
The interchange at SR-90 and I-10 will be reconstructed, along with several curves located east and west of the intersection that will be taken out completely.
Harmon said safety is a major concern along the three-mile stretch, which is why the curves will be removed.
The main focus is west of the interchange around milepost 302, which has a high accident rate. The curve will be taken out by pushing I-10 further north.
Harmon said they hope to award a contract for the project some time in April, which would mean actual construction might start in May.
During construction, Harmon said the highway will not be shut down.
Plans currently have both east and westbound traffic lanes open during construction. At times, Harmon said both directions may be down to one lane, and at night when needed, the road may be closed for up to 30 minutes at a time.
Because it is a massive project to address curves on both the west and east sides of the intersection, as well as improving the SR-90 interchange, Harmon estimated that once construction begins, the project could take about 18 months.
While the Benson project is moving forward without funding problems, Harmon said other projects listed on the five-year plan throughout Cochise County will likely be reconsidered in the coming year.
ADOT's Safford District remains under a hiring freeze, so when someone retires or resigns, they are not replaced.
"We have no other choice except to accomplish as much work as possible with fewer people," Harmon said. "Having to do that at times becomes troublesome."
Safford District personnel is down 20 percent compared to last year, and with mid-term adjustments expected early next year, Harmon said projects will be reconsidered, or even cut from the five-year plan.
"We won't have any of the specifics on which projects this will affect until the five-year plan is renewed next spring," Harmon said. "At that time, we will take a serious look at what needs to be postponed, and what will stay on track."
Besides ADOT, there are several other state agencies taking a serious look at what the future holds.
Earlier this month, Roger Vanderpool, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), said they are facing a 15 percent budget cut.
In an Oct. 16 press release, DPS said they stand to lose a significant number of officers, and in a worst case scenario, up to 570 law enforcement positions.
Because the $44-million Interstate 10/State Route 90 intersection project is federally funded, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will move forward as planned, despite state budget cuts.
Bill Harmon, the ADOT engineer for the Safford District, said the project is moving forward as planned, with the state agency expecting to start putting out requests for proposals by January.
"There have been no discussions at this point to postpone it," Harmon said. "It is relatively safe because all of it is federal money and not subject to the whims of the state budget cuts."
While ADOT said last spring they might be able to get started this fall, Harmon said there have been some delays in getting utility clearances. The clearances are required before the project can be put out to bid.
The environmental clearances have been taken care, but ADOT officials are still working the utility clearances and as Harmon put it, "minute details."
During public hearings last spring, Harmon said the project is needed to meet the current and future needs of travel along I-10 and SR-90.
The interchange at SR-90 and I-10 will be reconstructed, along with several curves located east and west of the intersection that will be taken out completely.
Harmon said safety is a major concern along the three-mile stretch, which is why the curves will be removed.
The main focus is west of the interchange around milepost 302, which has a high accident rate. The curve will be taken out by pushing I-10 further north.
Harmon said they hope to award a contract for the project some time in April, which would mean actual construction might start in May.
During construction, Harmon said the highway will not be shut down.
Plans currently have both east and westbound traffic lanes open during construction. At times, Harmon said both directions may be down to one lane, and at night when needed, the road may be closed for up to 30 minutes at a time.
Because it is a massive project to address curves on both the west and east sides of the intersection, as well as improving the SR-90 interchange, Harmon estimated that once construction begins, the project could take about 18 months.
While the Benson project is moving forward without funding problems, Harmon said other projects listed on the five-year plan throughout Cochise County will likely be reconsidered in the coming year.
ADOT's Safford District remains under a hiring freeze, so when someone retires or resigns, they are not replaced.
"We have no other choice except to accomplish as much work as possible with fewer people," Harmon said. "Having to do that at times becomes troublesome."
Safford District personnel is down 20 percent compared to last year, and with mid-term adjustments expected early next year, Harmon said projects will be reconsidered, or even cut from the five-year plan.
"We won't have any of the specifics on which projects this will affect until the five-year plan is renewed next spring," Harmon said. "At that time, we will take a serious look at what needs to be postponed, and what will stay on track."
Besides ADOT, there are several other state agencies taking a serious look at what the future holds.
Earlier this month, Roger Vanderpool, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), said they are facing a 15 percent budget cut.
In an Oct. 16 press release, DPS said they stand to lose a significant number of officers, and in a worst case scenario, up to 570 law enforcement positions.
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