Project Timeline (Highway Development Process)

The timeline represents the required steps in the development of a roadway improvement. In addition to establishing a funding source, there are a series of required planning and environmental studies before a roadway is constructed.

Planning

Highway planning to determine potential corridors and improvements is conducted well in advance of design and construction. Area population growth, anticipated land use, jurisdictional responsibilities, and other factors are used to determine the need, feasibility, and general location of future improvements. For this project corridor, this effort was completed during the Feasibility Study phase of this project, initiated in 1999 and completed in October 2004.

Detailed Study

The study phase establishes the location (alignment) and basic characteristics (number of lanes, type of traffic interchange, etc.) of a roadway. Accompanying this are detailed environmental studies, identification and evaluation of alternatives, general cost estimates, coordination with public and private partners, and the determination of feasibility to move into the design phase. Pending the findings of the study, FHWA and ADOT will decide whether or not to advance an alternative design. This is the current Phase of this US 60 improvement Project.

Programming and Funding

The US 60 improvements necessary to improve and/or realign US 60 are currently not funded. The process for identifying and establishing funds will begin after the study process is complete. At that time, ADOT will program the various aspects of the project. The project components would be constructed according the to the implementation plan developed during the study phase.
The State Transportation Board develops the Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program to fund the design and construction of transportation projects throughout Arizona. Projects are prioritized for the program to the guidelines set under the Arizona Priority Programming Law.

Design

Construction

Road construction for projects is based on detailed plans and specifications provided to the contractor following the approved design. As construction occurs, ADOT continually looks for ways to improve the construction process for maximum efficiency and minimal community impact.

Maintain & Monitor

ADOT will maintain the facility and will monitor it to assure it continues to meet the needs of the traveling public.

Study Schedule

At this time, we are in the earliest part of the study – the scoping phase – in which the Study Team seeks inputs on the range of alternatives, project constraints, and evaluation criteria from the public and government agencies. Over the next few months, the Study Team will further develop and evaluate project alternatives. The issues, concerns, and opportunities that we gain through the scoping meetings will be considered in that process. The input we receive from the public and agencies will help us indentify the critical issues for the US 60 Superior to Globe Study.

The following schedule is preliminary because the study process is a discovery process. The time anticipated to complete the study and obtain a Record of Decision from FHWA is 2 to 3 years.