Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has unveiled its Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program for 2026-2030, which outlines $12.7 billion in planned improvements to the state's infrastructure. The public is invited to review and comment on this program until May 23.

The proposed plan allocates $4.47 billion for projects outside Maricopa and Pima counties. This includes $2.8 billion earmarked for pavement and bridge preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement across various routes, with significant investments on interstates 8, 10, 17, and 40 as well as other major highways.

In addition to maintenance projects, the program designates $592 million for enhancing highway safety and efficiency in greater Arizona through intersection improvements and updates to rest areas and ports of entry.

ADOT encourages feedback via an online form available at azdot.gov/5yearcomments or by email at [email protected]. Public comments can also be submitted during a State Transportation Board hearing scheduled for May 16.

To assist the public in navigating project details, ADOT has launched a searchable dashboard at azdot.gov/5yeardashboard.

Significant funds are also directed towards widening highways and improving interchanges throughout Greater Arizona. Notable projects include widening I-10 south of Phoenix with a budget of $137 million and replacing the Colorado Bridge on I-10 near the California border in collaboration with CalTrans.

In Pima County, $831 million is allocated for various initiatives such as widening I-10 from Kino to Country Club Road. Meanwhile, Maricopa County's projects will receive $2.38 billion under coordination with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), further supported by Proposition 479 funding approved last November.

The program also dedicates $135 million to the Airport Capital Improvement Program aimed at enhancing safety and capacity at airports like Grand Canyon National Park Airport.

Funding for these initiatives comes from federal and state sources along with transportation-related taxes within Arizona. Both Maricopa and Pima counties have dedicated sales taxes supporting these efforts.

ADOT collaborates closely with local governments, regional planning bodies, and tribal partners to prioritize ready-to-build projects in its five-year plan. The final version is expected to be considered by the State Transportation Board on June 20.