ADOT launches 2050 long-range transportation plan with public survey

Plan will guide future investment priorities across the state

Arizona Department of Transportation has begun updating its 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, which provides a blueprint and vision for the state’s future transportation system over the next 25 years.

As part of the plan, ADOT has launched a survey to seek the public’s input on priorities for how it should invest limited resources to meet future transportation needs across the state.

The survey is available at https://metroquestsurvey.com/7y5b and on the plan website at www.ADOT2050plan.com.

The Long Range Transportation Plan is not project-specific. Instead, it will establish strategic priorities, goals and objectives that will guide ADOT’s transportation investments based on anticipated funding levels. The plan also will identify projected funding gaps to meet transportation-system needs.

Four similar projects that will directly impact Maricopa are in process now: the Interstate-10/Broadway Curve Improvement Project, to widen the freeway and improve traffic flow near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; State Route 347 Project, to widen the highway from Maricopa north to I-10 and build an interchange at Riggs Road; the Wild Horse Pass Corridor Improvement Project, to wide and improve I-10 from Chandler to Casa Grande; and the Gila River Bridge Project, to rebuild and widen bridges in both directions.

The long-range plan will include recommended investment choices, which will define how ADOT intends to allocate future resources across three major investment types:

• Preservation: Activities to maintain the current state highway system, such as replacing, repairing or maintaining pavement and repairing or replacing aging bridges.
• Modernization: Activities to improve safety and operations of the existing state highway system, such as adding shoulders and implementing smart-road technologies.
• Expansion: Activities to add new highways, add lanes to existing highways or add interchanges.

The survey is open through Dec. 21. The Long Range Transportation Plan is expected to be finalized in May 2023.

More information: ADOT2050plan.com.