Photos: New six-lane freeway section takes shape on I-10
Crews put down fresh pavement for the new lanes of I-10 between at milepost 209 and 213 north of Picacho Peak. The project includes four mile stretch of six lanes with shoulders to replace the existing four lane road. The first phase will be building the westbound lanes. Those new lanes will then share westbound and eastbound traffic while the new eastbound lanes are built. The area will also include a new dust detection zone with radar and variable speed limit signs, to slow drivers from 75 to 35, and message boards to warn people of dust storms.
The Arizona Department of Transportation acquired 73 properties that made up what was formerly the town of Picacho to make way for the new section of freeway.
I-10 widening
The freshly laid concrete is the beginning of the westbound lanes that will eventually replace the current highway at right. The road will eventually be topped with a 2" asphalt surface.
I-10 widening
Construction crews work on piers that will bring SR 87 over I-10.
I-10 widening
A loader scoops concrete, delivered by trucks, towards the front of a paving 35 ft' wide paving machine.
I-10 widening
Construction crews with Coffman Specialties Inc. began putting down pavement on the new lanes of I-10 at milepost 211 on May 8, 2018. and are continuing work on reconstruction of the I-10/SR 87 interchange north of Picacho, AZ. The project will ultimately include a new 4 mile stretch of 6 lanes with shoulders to replace the current 4 lane road. The first phase is the building of the westbound lanes. Those new lanes will then share westbound and eastbound traffic while the new eastbound lanes are built. The area will also include a new dust detection zone with radar and variable speed limit signs, to slow drivers from 75 to 35mph and message boards to warn people of dust storms.
I-10 widening
A rotating auger feeds s stiff mix of concrete into the front of the paving machine moving at 5 feet per minute. The four mile project should be in service around Labor Day.
I-10 widening
Miguel Rodriguez, left, uses an edger to hand finish the roadbed and Felix Carrillo uses a 35 ft. bump cutter to take down high spots in the pavement left behind the paving machine at right.
I-10 widening
Freshly laid concrete is rolled over with the paving machine the tamped with an automatic tamper attached behind the paving machine. It is further smoothed and leveled by hand.
I-10 widening
Freshly laid concrete is hand smoothed prior to being machine finished.
I-10 widening
Freshly laid concrete is hand smoothed prior to being machine finished.
I-10 widening
A crewman applies a coat of curing agent on freshly laid concrete.
I-10 widening
A finishing machine sits in the background on the first quarter mile of new westbound lanes of I-10 being built at milepost 211 north of Picacho Peak, AZ. About 4 miles of I-10 is being replaced with a new 6-lane stretch that will have wide shoulders and new dust detection radar.
I-10 widening
Work continues on reconstruction of the I-10/SR 87 interchange north of Picacho, AZ. Where the new wider lanes of I-10 will meet up with the current I-10 just south of Eloy.
Town of Picacho
Trucks roar past an old, faded motel and restaurant sign in Picacho, Ariz., where many of the remaining structures are planned for demolition in preparation a road expansion on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
Town of Picacho
This is one many of the existing structures that is planned for demolition in preparation a road expansion along Interstate-10 on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in Picacho, Ariz.
Town of Picacho
Branden Sisney, who works for Mallet Trucking, prepares his rig near the company's shop, background, in Picacho, Ariz., on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. The shop is located where many of the existing structures are planned for demolition in preparation a road expansion along Interstate 10.
Town of Picacho
A truck hauling vehicles passes by an abandoned building which is one of many existing structures that is planned for demolition in preparation of road expansion along Interstate-10 on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in Picacho, Ariz.
Town of Picacho
Sunlight streams through an open door and window at an abandoned building where many of the existing structures are planned for demolition in preparation a road expansion along Interstate-10 on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in Picacho, Ariz.
Town of Picacho
The Union Pacific Railroad line, which runs parallel to Interstate 10 (to the right, not shown), is where some existing structures have been demolished and cleared away in preparation a road expansion on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in Picacho, Ariz.
Town of Picacho
A train rumbles by a roadside grave marker in Picacho, Ariz., where existing structures are planned for demolition in preparation a road expansion along Interstate-10 on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
Town of Picacho
The sun is setting on an old, faded motel and restaurant sign, familar to many who travel to Phoenix along Interstate 10 in Picacho, Ariz., where the last of the existing structures are slated for demolition in preparation a road expansion on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
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