Road Report for August 13, 2009
Date:
08/13/2009 (Last updated: 08/20/2009)Summary:
This week’s update of City of Yuma road construction projects.Contact:
Avenue A to Close for Week at 16th Street; New Speed Limits on East 24th Street
Avenue A Widening - Avenue A to Close at 16th Street
Beginning late Sunday evening and continuing on a 24-hour basis for approximately 5 days, Avenue A will be closed on both the north and south sides of the intersection with 16th Street while crews working for the contractor excavate and pave lanes on 16th Street. As a result, 16th Street will continue to be restricted to one lane in each direction around that intersection, and no turns will be permitted onto Avenue A. Detours will be posted at 15th Street from the north and 17th Street from the south. Motorists needing a north-south through traffic route that crosses 16th Street should use 4th Avenue instead.
The overall project involves the widening of Avenue A to double the current number of through-traffic lanes as well as intersection improvements at 16th Street and 24th Street and a water main improvement just south of 24th Street. Through traffic during the duration of this project is advised to used 4th Avenue, 8th Avenue or Avenue B for north-south travel when possible. Motorists detouring through surrounding residential neighborhoods are asked to please observe residential street speed limits of 25 mph.
East 24th Street Speed Limits
Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, variable speed limit signs will be activated on East 24th Street near Desert Mesa Elementary, Castle Dome Middle and Otondo Elementary schools. Speed limits will be 25 mph each weekday morning 7 a.m. and 7:50 a.m., and 2:20 to 3 p.m. weekdays except Wednesdays, when the speed limit zones will be active 12:50 to 3:30 p.m. (to accommodate Yuma Elementary School District 1's early dismissal days).
Outside of these designated times, the 24th Street speed limit in that vicinity will be 45 mph.
16th - Arizona Intersection Improvements
Arizona Avenue is closed bouth northbound and southbound at 16th Street and traffic on 16th Street is reduced to one lane in each direction in this vicinity. To access businesses on the north side of 16th Street from the west, use 1st Avenue and take the newly paved alley toward Arizona Avenue, or 12th Street from 1st Avenue to Arizona Avenue. Access the businesses north of 16th and east of Arizona Avenue via 15th Street.
Northbound Arizona Avenue traffic approaching from the south is being diverted at 18th Street: Motorists would then proceed east to Riley Avenue to connect with eastbound 16th Street or proceed west to 1st Avenue to connect with either westbound 16th Street or to continue to travel northbound.
Left turns are prohibited along 16th Street between Riley Avenue and Maple Avenue. Access will be provided at all times to those businesses along these portions of 16th Street and Arizona Avenue.
For businesses along the south side of 16th Street, from 1st Avenue to Arizona Avenue, westbound customers should utilize 1st Avenue to 18th Street, using Maple Avenue to access these businesses. For businesses east of Arizona Avenue, use 1st Avenue to 18th Street, then turn north on Arizona Avenue to either access the business, or use Arizona Avenue to access 17th Street running east to Riley Avenue.
The City of Yuma is asking motorists traveling in the vicinity of the 16th Street and Arizona Avenue intersection improvements project to please use and observe detours as marked. It is illegal to use private property to avoid authorized traffic control device. Drivers observed by the Yuma Police Department to be cutting through private parking lots to avoid a traffic control device can be cited.
DPE, a local contractor working for the City of Yuma is expanding the intersection of 16th Street and Arizona Avenue to include 6 lanes of traffic on 16th Street plus additional turn lanes, and turn lanes on Arizona Avenue as well. The contractor plans to use an aggressive timetable for construction, with the goal of finishing months earlier than the expected estimated completion time frame of May 2010. To accomplish this, work will be done in expanded hours and during weekends.
This project is the precursor to the larger ADOT 16th Street Reconstruction Project that could begin within the next several weeks and cover the area from Yuma Palms Parkway to just east of the Arizona Avenue intersection. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction at this intersection, beginning in early-August.
Carver Park Neighborhood Reconstruction - Magnolia Avenue
Magnolia Avenue is closed north of 8th Street during daytime hours and will be open to local traffic only or reduced to one lane at times between 5th Street and 8th Street. For north-south travel between 1st and 8th streets, use Avenue A or Avenue B. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2009.
For More Information
The City of Yuma appreciates the patience and understanding of the motoring public and all residents affected by infrastructure improvement projects. For information and assistance about how your business or residence might be affected by city construction projects, contact Greg Hyland, CPM, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at 373-5023, or 580-4751.
For further information, please contact Greg Hyland, CPM, the City of Yuma's Director of Communications & Public Affairs at (928) 373-5023 or by e-mail or Dave Nash, City of Yuma Public Affairs Coordinator at (928) 373-5015 or by e-mail.
