Shutdowns from the coronavirus pandemic aren’t delaying work by construction crews handling transportation projects across the state. In fact, reduced traffic has benefited many projects, the Arizona Department of Transportation says.
“We have been able to start overnight lane restrictions a little earlier in the evening because of the lighter traffic, and overall the project timeline looks to remain the same,” said Garin Groff, an ADOT spokesman.
Among the projects set to be completed on time is the Ruthrauff and Interstate 10 interchange that update crews started earlier this year, Groff said.
There will also be fewer overnight closures than other projects have seen, he said.
“One thing about the Ruthrauff project is the way the project’s designed and the way the work zone is set up, there aren’t a great number of overnight restrictions that are required in the first place. Most of the work is occurring, without the need to do lane restrictions,” he said.
Although ADOT doesn’t anticipate an earlier completion than fall 2021 — for now — there shouldn’t be any delay in hitting that mark, Groff said.
Crews have taken safety precautions related to the coronavirus to make sure that happens, according to Sundt Construction, Inc., the company picked to build the project.
The company’s safety measures include: required COVID-19 safety awareness training, social distancing measures, increased hygiene and sanitation protocols at each site, daily temperature checks performed by trained professionals, and health and travel history questionnaires for crew members.
“Our COVID-19 Task Force meets daily to monitor progress, update our plan, and provide our project teams with every resource possible to support them so they can continue their important work for our clients – safely,” a company statement said.
As crews take safety precautions, ADOT also reminds motorists to take their own precautions traveling through work zones.
“We’re forging ahead with every kind of routine maintenance activity to major projects, like I-10 and Ruthrauff, and that means workers alongside the road. It’s vital for drivers to observe and obey all the posted signs as they get into and drive through those work zones,” Groff said.
Work Zone Awareness Week, which ended Friday, comes a month after 55-year-old Frank Dorizio was struck and killed while installing a traffic sign along I-10 near Phoenix.
ADOT says motorists should:
- Pay attention: Observe and obey posted warning signs, as well as flaggers.
- Drive alert: Speed limits might be lowered, travel lanes could be narrowed or eliminated, and people may be working near your travel lane.
- Slow down: Speeding is one of the leading causes of work zone crashes.
- Merge safely: Do it carefully and as directed by signage.
- Don’t tailgate: The most common crash in a work zone is the rear-end collision. Don’t follow too closely.
“One thing that may not occur to a lot of drivers is that national crash data shows more than 80% of work zone crash fatalities are drivers or passengers,” said Groff.
“So it really is in the best interest of drivers to pay attention and to slow down in work zones. Regardless of the traffic volumes, it only takes one careless driver for something tragic to happen.”
Down the Road
Lane, ramp closures set for I-10 in Tucson: Motorists should expect overnight lane and ramp closures in both directions of I-10 due to pavement work beginning Monday.
Crews will work each night between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. in the following areas:
- On Monday, auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit ramps will be closed between Miracle Mile and I-19. Motorists should enter or exit I-10 at the Prince Road or Sixth Avenue ramps.
- On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29, there will be alternating lane closures between Rita Road and state Route 83. All ramps will remain open.
- On Thursday and Friday, there will be alternating lane closures from state Route 83 to east of Davidson Canyon. All ramps will remain open.
Sun Van provides transportation to Tucson’s homeless: Sun Van has partnered with the city of Tucson to provide transportation for individuals going to or from homeless shelters during the pandemic.
Since April 17, more than 60 people have received rides around Tucson, including hospitals when discharged.
To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, drivers are provided with personal protective equipment and riders must show no symptoms.
The vans are sanitized after each trip.
Photos for April 23: Tucson gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
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Erika Munoz, owner of Seis Kitchen, hands over a bag of meals to Michael Gallagher Carondelet, a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital, to distribute to other nurses and hospital workers, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.” In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in Tucson.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Hospital workers wheel in carts full of catered meals donated by Seis Kitchen to Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.” In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in Tucson.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Kristi Hall, a sixth grade teacher at Desert Sky Middle School, participates in planning a lesson with a fellow teacher on Zoom, at her home on April 17, 2020. Schools in the Vail School District are supposed to open in July due to their year-round school calendar. Plans are being made for the possibility of students returning to the physical classroom.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Bry Kelley, a warehouse assistant, places a pallet filled with food down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tucson, coronavirus
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A pallet of food is placed down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student, takes the temperature of a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Lekha Chesnick, 1st year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, talks with a homeless man (whom choose to not give his name) outside of the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student, checks on a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Elliott Dumont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., works on a customer's bike on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Elliot DuMont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., far left, helps Ethan Sasz, far right, and his son, Evan, 10, with a mountain bike purchase on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Marcella Montoya waits in her vehicle as general manger David Kessler brings out her order, as Bear Canyon Pizza serving their customers despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Kitchen manger Koa Hoffmann tosses dough while working up a crust for a call-in order as he and few others keep cooking at Bear Canyon Pizza despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Alvaro Enciso, a local artist, works in one of his studios at his home on April 9, 2020. Every Tuesday Enciso travels into the Sonoran desert to post crosses where migrants have died after crossing illegally over the U.S./Mexico border as part of a project he's titled Donde Mueren Los Suenos / Where Dreams Die. With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease his six year project is on hold and instead he works on other artwork at home.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Dolly Spalding works on a pen and ink drawing in her apartment at the Redondo Tower Apartments on April 7, 2020. During her quarantine, Spalding has been creating drawings of all the Greek goddesses. She is collaborating with Emlyn Boyle, an artist from Ireland, and plans to publish a book with Boyle's writings.
