ADOT Plans Road Work Around Community Leader Input, Major Events

By Matt Kling
Published: Sunday, March 24, 2019 - 7:05am
Updated: Monday, March 25, 2019 - 8:22am

Throughout the year, the Arizona Department of Transportation shuts down, or restricts travel, on the state’s roadways for construction projects. While ADOT may release the exact dates of restrictions just days before they’re set to take place, it’s actually a long process to get there.

ADOT spokesperson Steve Elliott said the initial planning involves consulting community leaders for potential impacts on affected areas.

“When they get together they discuss long-term needs for the project," Elliott said, "and near-term needs that might require a major restriction or closure. They discuss, longer-term, how to avoid conflicts in terms of proximity and direction.”

Elliott said ADOT planners work around a major events calendar to determine if road work will create hardships, as well as explore area detour possibilities.

After that, ADOT uses social media and electronic billboards, among other communication modes, to alert motorists of road work.