The map shows some of the plans such as the diamond interchange that will supplement the single lane, curving ramp to the West toward Prescott. Many local road improvements will be done with the partnering of Cordes Lakes and Yavapai County representatives and business owners. ADOT and Department of Public Safety buildings impacted by the new construction will be replaced in the maintenance yard on the west side of I-17, and two roundabouts will be built.
Built in the early 1960s, the Cordes Junction TI now serves over 10,000 automobiles on an average day, and ADOT predicts this volume of traffic will more than double by 2020. The current interchange design mixes local and through traffic, causing congestion and delays. Business owners and residents have asked ADOT and the FHWA to upgrade and improve the interchange and provide secondary access to the Cordes Lakes community. ADOT and FHWA have studied the interchange with consideration for the current and future needs of the public, government agencies and business owners.
The outdated loop ramps will be removed, new structures will be built to carry Prescott bound traffic over I-17, and the roadways will be designed to meet current design criteria. High speed Prescott bound traffic will be separated from Cordes Lakes travelers driving at slower speeds. The existing bridges carrying I-17 over Big Bug Creek will also be replaced.
On May 2, 2008 this project was approved as ADOT’s third “CMAR”, or Construction Manager At Risk - a project delivery contracting method where the contractor is selected based on qualifications and will provide input into the project design. This method is designed to reduce cost, make construction more efficient, and save time. When the CMAR has developed plans to about 95% complete, he provides a GMP (guaranteed maximum price) to build the project. If the price is determined to be fair by ADOT, the CMAR can begin construction activities on finished portions of the design to help save time.
Preliminary work is being done now but the project construction will not occur until 2009. Requests for proposals from construction firms will go out in late July or early August 2008. The public will be invited to a meeting to learn more about the project in Spring 2009.
