PHOENIX – Arizona’s highways have existed almost since statehood in 1912, but the agency overseeing them, the Arizona Department of Transportation, is marking its 50th anniversary this month.  It’s all because state lawmakers, facing a booming population and accelerating transportation needs, decided to consolidate the Arizona Highway Department and Arizona Aeronautics Department as of July 1974. Since then, ADOT employees throughout the state have expanded the state’s transportation infrastructure, implemented new technologies and innovations, and provided safer and more efficient ways to keep travelers moving safely. Governor Katie Hobbs marked this month’s milestone with a letter to ADOT staff highlighting the agency’s accomplishments and innovations, including not just highways but the AZ511 traveler information system and AZMVDNow.com , the online portal through which Motor Vehicle Division customers can conduct dozens of transactions.  “Most importantly, it is ADOT’s dedicated employees, past, present, and future, who shape our state’s transportation system through public service and leadership that ensures AZ families make it to their destinations safely,” Governor Hobbs said.  When ADOT was created, there were about 5,800 miles of state highway and the interstate system in Arizona was 86% complete. Since then, ADOT has added more than 1,100 miles to the state’s transportation system.  “Our state is more connected than ever,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “ADOT employees have worked hard over the decades to expand and improve Arizona’s transportation system. Because of that, people can safely travel throughout our state and businesses can grow.”  ADOT has had seven other directors over five decades, including Mary Peters, who served from 1998 until 2001, when she became administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In 2006, Peters became U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Former ADOT Director Victor Mendez also served in Washington, D.C., as FHWA administrator for five years, and then was U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 2014 to 2017.   The award-winning Arizona Highways magazine, which was founded in 1921, continued to be produced by ADOT. By inheriting Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which began operations in 1967, ADOT became the first state DOT with its own airport. Arizona’s transportation system has seen a great many changes over the last five decades. Interstate 17 was completed to Flagstaff in 1978. In 1990, the Papago Freeway’s dedication in Phoenix marked the completion of I-10 through Arizona, and a year later ADOT completed the US 60 Superstition Freeway. Recent accomplishments include completing the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in 2019 and dedicating flyover ramps in Nogales connecting the important commercial route SR 189 with Interstate 19.  In terms of technology, ADOT was the nation’s first to develop a thermal camera-based detection and warning system to reduce the risk from wrong-way drivers and to deploy a pilot dust detection and warning system on 10 miles of I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix.  ADOT is fortunate to have a handful of employees who have been along for all 50 years. “I get to work with and learn from some of the best and brightest people,” said Ed Green, a 62-year state employee who started with the Arizona Highway Department and now is a hazardous material coordinator in ADOT’s Environmental Planning Group.  “Not only ADOT, but the world has changed with the inclusion of available technologies that make our tasks easier and quicker,” said Tami Wollaston, who started as a draftsman nearly 51 years ago and currently is a transportation engineering specialist in ADOT’s Roadway Engineering Group.  “Over time this agency also has included necessary environmental and cultural features along state highways,” said LeRoy Brady, chief landscape architect in ADOT’s Roadway Engineering Group and a 50-year employee. “We’ve improved highways while maintaining Arizona’s unique beauty.” In a note to staff, Director Toth pointed to the many ways ADOT has and will continue to safely connect people and empower Arizona’s economy by providing not just highway infrastructure but transportation services.  “Beyond highways, ADOT has evolved in many other areas as well – all thanks to the dedicated people who have worked to continuously innovate and improve the way we operate,” Director Toth said.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is reminding the public of a virtual public meeting this week to seek input on the proposed update to its 2024 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan that would add nine state highways to a planned network of fast-charging stations.  The virtual meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10. The update proposes  adding the following corridors to a list of routes eligible for federally funded, EV fast charging stations:  

• US 60: Wickenburg to Phoenix
• US 60: Phoenix to Globe
• US 60: Show Low to New Mexico
• US 93: Wickenburg to I-40
• US 95: Quartzsite to San Luis
• US 160: US 89 to Four Corners
• SR 68: US 93 to Bullhead City
• SR 80: Bisbee to Douglas
• SR 90: I-10 to Bisbee

Eligible corridors previously identified include all interstate freeways, US 89, and portions of US 93 and state routes 64, 87, 95 and 347. Please visit azdot.gov/EVPlan to register for the virtual meeting and receive your link to attend. Project staff will be available to share information about the new proposed station locations on state highways and answer questions.  You can provide feedback on the proposed update through Wednesday, July 17, in the following ways:

• Virtual Meeting: Register at azdot.gov/EVmeeting 
• Online Survey: Available at azdot.gov/EVcomments 
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 800.915.4301
• Mail: ADOT EV Plan, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

The electric vehicle charging network plan is part of $76.5 million in federal funding Arizona is eligible to receive through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The program encourages adoption of electric vehicles by building a nationwide network of publicly accessible and reliable fast chargers that will reduce drivers’ concerns about the range of electric vehicles. The charging stations will be built with 80% federal funding and a 20% private match. No state funding will be used to build the charging station network. ADOT will administer the contracting process with private companies that will operate the stations. Planning and construction using NEVI funds is slated to start in 2025, but the buildout will take place over several years. This year, ADOT began seeking bids for private entities to build or upgrade the first phase of electric vehicle charging stations along interstate highways. ADOT expects to award contracts for these stations in late summer, with stations slated to be operational in one year from the start of construction. For more information about the EV plan and additional ways to provide input, visit AZDOT.gov/EVPlan .

“Arizona families and small businesses are already struggling with rising costs. Now, a group of out-of-state, out-of-touch activists with ‘One Fair Wage’ have concocted a scheme that promises to give rocket fuel to inflation in our state – driving costs even higher and many employers straight out of business.   “The Massachusetts-based group seeks to eliminate Arizona’s successful tip credit and replace it with a California-style wage system. The ploy has resulted in reduced wages for tipped workers, lost jobs and shuttered businesses virtually everywhere it has been tried . Fortunately, we are deeply skeptical One Fair Wage has collected the nearly 256,000 valid petition signatures necessary to qualify for the November ballot. If they are somehow successful, know this: a broad Arizona coalition – led by tipped workers themselves – will step forward to see this measure defeated at the polls.   “There is a better way. The Tipped Workers Protection Act preserves the Arizona tip credit while protecting small businesses and establishing a tipped-worker wage floor that is at least $2 higher than the state minimum wage. We look forward to educating voters about this balanced approach.”

TUCSON, ARIZONA – July 7, 2024 – Due to incoming media requests and to ensure that case information is factual and accurate, PCAO will answer clarifying questions from the media regarding high-profile cases. We are honoring requests from credentialed media by making prosecutors available as needed. You are welcome to meet with prosecutors downtown in the morning.  What:  Media Interviews When: Monday, July 8, 2024 Where: 32 N. Stone Avenue 14 th Floor Why: To clarify details about local cases *You must RSVP with Shawndrea Thomas and have your media badge available to pass through security on the first floor.

TUCSON, ARIZONA – July 7, 2024 – Due to incoming media requests and to ensure that case information is factual and accurate, PCAO will answer clarifying questions from the media regarding high-profile cases. We are honoring requests from credentialed media by making prosecutors available as needed. You are welcome to meet with prosecutors downtown in the morning.  What:  Media Interviews When: Monday, July 8, 2024 Where: 32 N. Stone Avenue 14 th Floor Why: To clarify details about local cases *You must RSVP wi

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act – bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema – sending it to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The ADVANCE Act boosts responsible production of clean nuclear energy globally by developing and deploying new nuclear technologies.    “Our bipartisan legislation strengthens America’s global leadership in clean, reliable nuclear energy by investing in cutting-edge nuclear technologies and improving nuclear infrastructure and supply chains,” said Sinema.     The ADVANCE Act solidifies America’s leadership on nuclear energy by empowering the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to lead in international forums to develop regulations for advanced nuclear reactors and establishing a joint Commerce Department and Energy Department initiative to facilitate outreach to nations that are seeking to develop advanced nuclear energy programs. The bill identifies modern manufacturing techniques to build nuclear reactors better, faster, cheaper, and smarter.   The bipartisan legislation focuses on developing and deploying new nuclear technologies by reducing regulatory costs for companies seeking to license advanced nuclear reactor technologies, as well as creating a prize to incentivize the successful deployment of next-generation nuclear reactor technologies. The ADVANCE Act additionally requires the NRC to develop a pathway to enable the timely licensing of nuclear facilities at brownfield sites.   Recognizing the need to promote a healthy environment while advancing global nuclear energy production, the Sinema-backed bill authorizes funding to assist in cleaning up legacy abandoned mining sites on Tribal lands.   The Sinema-backed legislation enjoys broad bipartisan support, cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).