Arizona Avenue Improvements:
Construction began March 8 on a section of Arizona Avenue between Frye Road and Chandler Boulevard as part of the Arizona Avenue Improvements project. The first phase of construction includes underground utility work to prepare for the “above ground” improvements that will be taking place in the next phases (please visit the project website below for phasing information). During construction, Arizona Avenue will remain open and should always have at least one lane in each direction in the corridor, except for possible coordinated weekend work when necessary in the intersection at Boston, Buffalo, or Frye. In addition, there should always be left-turn access into the Square either via Buffalo or Boston. For ongoing information regarding the project, please visit our project website at http://chandlersnewfrontdoor.com or call our project line at 480.898.4100.

Alma School/Ray Intersection Improvement Project:
The City is planning to widen the intersection of Alma School Road and Ray Road.  A construction start date has not been set. The $4.4 million improvement project will include the addition of dual left turn lanes, dedicated right turn lanes, a third through-lane, plus new medians, street lighting, storm drains, sidewalks, traffic signal and landscaping.  Utility relocations also will occur.  For more information, or to participate in a project Stakeholder Group, contact Kurt Krause, Project Manager, at 480-782-3317.

Chandler Boulevard and Price Loop 101 Bike Lane and Left Turn Lane Improvements:
The City has received federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to design bicycle lanes and an additional left turn lane under the Price Loop 101 Freeway at Chandler Blvd. This project will design bicycle lanes in both the eastbound and westbound directions to provide bicycle lane connectivity and a second left turn lane for westbound to southbound traffic movements under the freeway overpass to improve traffic circulation.  This project will also include modifications to the retaining wall beneath the overpass.  A Design Concept Report (DCR) and federal environmental clearance documents were completed under a separate design services contract and were approved by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). A construction start date has not been set. For more information contact Joshua Plumb, Project Manager, at 480-782-3312.

Commonwealth Avenue Improvement Project:
The City is planning to improve a portion of Commonwealth Avenue between Hamilton Street and Ithica Place.  The project is currently under design.  Construction of the $800,000 project is expected to commence in mid-2010. A separate project by Salt River Project to underground an existing irrigation canal that runs along Commonwealth Avenue preceded the City work. The road improvements include the extension of underground utilities, including
water and sewer. For more information, or to participate in a project Stakeholder Group, contact Chris Lamm, Project Manager, at 480-782-3301.

Dobson/Chandler Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project:
Improvements are being made to the intersection of Dobson Road and Chandler Blvd. The intersection improvements will consist of adding dual left turn lanes, dedicated right turn lanes, a third thru-lane on Dobson Road, plus new curb, gutter, sidewalks, and landscaping. For more information, visit the project website, www.dobsonchandlerimprovements.com, or contact the Project Hotline at 480-898-4110 or contact Kurt Krause, Project Manager, at 480-782-3317. 

Gilbert Road Improvements (Queen Creek Rd to Hunt Hwy):
Design is underway for widening Gilbert Road between Queen Road Road and Hunt Highway. The project will include landscaped medians, bike lanes, curb, gutter, sidewalks, right and left turn lanes, bus pullouts, and extensive water, reclaimed water, and sewer work. A construction start date has not been set., but a phased construction sequence will be used to accommodate the real estate acquisition and utility relocation schedule. For more information contact Tim Krawczyk, Project Manager, at 480-782-3362.  Public Meeting Summary (PDF) Public Meeting Comment Forms (PDF). 60%Design-HuntHwy-to-Riggs (PDF). 60%Design-Riggs-to-ChandlerHts (PDF). 60%Design-ChandlerHts-to-Ocotillo (PDF). 60%Design-Ocotillo-to-QueenCreek (PDF). 60%Design-Ocotillo&ChandlerHtsIntersections (PDF).

McQueen Road Improvement Project (Queen Creek Road to Ocotillo Road): 
This project will widen McQueen Road to six lanes between Queen Creek and Ocotillo roads. The contractor (Pulice Construction) began construction on October 19, 2009 and will conclude in late summer 2010. The project will include new curb, gutter, storm drain, sidewalks, streetlights, bike lanes, medians and landscaping. For more information contact Kurt Krause at 480-782-3317. Public Meeting Summary (PDF)  Public Meeting Comment Forms (PDF) Public Meeting Display Board (PDF- Large file may take several minutes to download). Visit the McQueen Road project Web site. 

Price Road Water Pipeline Project:
The installation of a new water main beneath Price Road between Germann and Queen Creek roads began March22, 2010 and will result in traffic restrictions through the month of August. Traffic lanes have been shifted to accommodate the construction and business access will be maintained at all times. The $1.7 million project involves the installation of a 16-inch-diameter water distribution main and the replacement of two large valves in a parallel water main.The work is being performed by Achen-Gardner Engineering and will be completed by August 31. Following the pipeline work, the City will repave the same section of Price Road under a separate project. For more information, contact Susan Webber, Project Manager at 480-782-3587.

Western Canal Shared Use Path:
The City recently completed construction of a 10-foot-wide concrete bicycle and pedestrian path on the south side of the Western Canal between the Hamilton Street alignment (Southern Pacific RR tracks) and Loop 101 Price Freeway. The path features landscaped rest areas (pedestrian nodes) at the arterial street crossings and path lighting. The rest areas have seating walls and drinking fountains.  The City is designing signalized pedestrian street crossings to increase safety where the path crosses Arizona Avenue, Alma School Road and Dobson Road.  All three signals are being funded by federal grants. For more information, call  480-782-3319 or 480-782-3403.

CONTACT:

Jim Phipps, public information officer
480-782-2225