Newly-constructed West Dark Star Road to open Tuesday north of Interstate 10-State Route 90 interchange

New road replaces frontage road north of I-10

May 17, 2011

SAFFORD — Benson area residents living north of the Interstate 10 and State Route 90 traffic interchange will be able to start using the newly constructed West Dark Star Road beginning at approximately noon on Tuesday, May 17.

The Arizona Department of Transportation constructed the new road to connect with State Route 90 north of the interstate and provide access to North Vidal Trail and West Calvary Lane. The new road will replace the existing frontage road north of I-10 that has been providing access to properties north of the interchange.

The existing frontage road will be removed to make way for the new alignment of I-10.

During the remainder of the two-year, $27.6 million project to replace the traffic interchange and straighten curves west of the junction, Dark Star Road will be maintained by ADOT. Once the project is complete, Dark Star will become a Cochise County road. The project is expected to be completed by late 2012.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

For more information about this project please visit www.azdot.gov/statewide or contact C.T. Revere, Safford District Senior Community Relations Officer at 520.705.3574. Local media should contact the ADOT Public Information Office at 1.800.949.8057. Visit us on facebook or our web site for more information about ADOT. For more information about ADOT projects and programs across Arizona see the agency's latest blog posts.

Visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at az511, call 5-1-1 within Arizona,or 1.888.411.ROAD outside the state for current information regarding road conditions statewide.

Sign up for ADOT email updates, including weekend freeway restrictions, at www.azdot.gov.

Please buckle up, observe speed limits, and never drink and drive.

For additional information contact:
ADOT Media Relations (news@azdot.gov)
or call 800.949.8057