Doug s Corner. City of Phoenix installing traffic signal cabling on the span wire at 19th Ave and Butler Drive

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1 Contractor s Weekly Update NORTHWEST EXTENSION-19TH AVENUE-BETHANY HOME TO DUNLAP March 11th 2013 Volume 2, Issue 7 Doug s Corner This week I got to spend some time in the field with the City of Phoenix traffic signal department. I would like to speak about the temporary traffic signals and why they are so important. Some very good questions came to mind and below I will do my best to convey the importance of this portion of our project. SSWJV SAFETY QUALITY COURTEOUS RESPONSIVE DEPENDABLE In order for us to work efficiently and to make it easier on the public, we have to look at the whole picture. Most are aware that there are temporary traffic signals but most don t know why its so important or even necessary. I will explain why. In order to start construction on the actual light rail itself, we need to widen the roads to make room for the track. To accommodate, the widening, the existing traffic signals must be moved back. Here s how it works. We put in the temporary traffic poles, then we run span wires (above ground) and traffic signal cables to each pole. Then we place the traffic signal heads just right so that oncoming traffic can easily see the light. These traffic signal heads are also easy to move as we continue to work on the project and it makes the process move a lot faster. We then remove the old traffic poles and signal heads. By doing this now, it saves us time and avoids any complications in the future. City of Phoenix installing traffic signal cabling on the span wire at 19th Ave and Butler Drive Normally, there are sensors in the roads which change the lights accordingly. In order to keep this system functioning, we have strategically placed cameras to sense that a car is in a left turn lane. This is important to the public because this minimizes traffic and reduces long wait times. In this issue: Page 1 Doug s Corner Page 2-3 Traffic Restrictions Work activities Page 4-7 Construction Notices This piece of work is critical not only for us, but for the public as well. Why? This allows us to move these signals out of our way so we can expand the road with ease. By having the traffic signal wires above the ground, it will help prevent any accidental or unplanned signal outages which will help keep traffic moving properly. The City of Phoenix traffic signal department is working hard to make sure that traffic runs smoothly through this project. It is their duty to work safely and efficiently, and they have been doing a great job! This week in the traffic section of the update I will continue listing the lane restrictions in each 1/2 mile in a little more general terms. I know that from my meetings I have had with some of you, it would be better to discuss what phase we are in (utility, roadway,track, etc.) It can be misleading to give a date to an item and then have 4 or 5 other crews fall in after. Water crew #1 will continue working nights as well as the sewer crew. Next week we will be adding a storm drain crew. The work they are performing have intrusive traffic setups near intersections which are better done at night. As we approach the summer months we will continue to add crews to nights. I expect we have 200 plus crew members by summer working both day and night in order to support the large amount of work and aggressive schedule. As the various utility lines cross the smaller, non signalized streets, these will open and close throughout the utility phase of the project. We will keep these in the traffic/work items section and give the best dates we can as we approach the intersections. Weather, unknowns below the surface, and various other factors obviously make an exact target date challenging at best. The signalized intersections will have a separate notice that goes out as this needs to reach farther than the local neighborhoods. Thanks...and enjoy the spring training games this weekend!! Doug 1

2 Work activities/traffic control week of 3/11/2013 Dunlap 7 PM to 5 AM Waterline lateral crossings on Dunlap west of 19th Ave will continue. One lane both East and Westbound on Dunlap. No Left turns will be placed East and Westbound, with the exception of Bus traffic. Sewer lateral work will continue working nights within the above time frames. Valley Metro Buses will be assisted with left turns by an officer from 7 PM to 10:30 PM. Dunlap to Butler Wet utility work continues throughout this reach. One lane both north and south bound will be maintained as additional wet utility work begins. Crews will work with business in order to maintain access. The intersection of Dunlap and 19th Avenue will be restricted to one lane both north and southbound as well as turns. Alice Road will be closed to help facilitate the installation of new private irrigation. See the attached map on page 4. Butler to Northern One lane both north and south bound will be maintained as well as turns at the signalized intersections. Locate existing utilities ahead of the water and sewer work. Water transmission main installation. A walkway designed with water barrier will provide pedestrian access. Northern to Orangewood One lane both north and south bound will be maintained as well as turns at the signalized intersections. Private irrigation Water transmission main Gas main 16 water line installation at Tuckey Lane 2

3 Work activities/traffic control week of 3/11/2013 Orangewood to Glendale One lane both north and south bound will be maintained as well as turns at the signalized intersections. Water transmission main installation. A walkway designed with water barrier will provide pedestrian access. W. Palmaire Ave will be closed to help facilitate the installation of new water line. See the attached map on page 5. Glendale to Maryland One lane both north and south bound will be maintained as well as turns at the signalized intersections. 7 PM to 6 AM storm drain installation begins. There will be no left hand turns heading north or southbound from Glendale Ave to Ocotillo Road. See the attached map on page 6. Ocotillo Road will continue to be closed to help facilitate the installation of new storm drain. See the attached map on page 7. Tree/Shrub Removal Maryland to Bethany Home Road One lane both north and south bound will be maintained as well as turns at the signalized intersections. SRP joint trench. Temporary traffic signal will be installed at the Bethany Home and 19th Ave. intersection. From 7AM to 4 PM one lane in each direction will be maintained as well as left turns at the Bethany Home intersection. 18 sewer line installation at Butler Drive. 3

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