Pretty ballsy considering they haven't selected a final alignment yet AFAIK.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiTq4T0v.jpg&hash=b4bbb04825a79f3a36045db371df8419693c03c3)
I wonder if the "Future South Mountain Freeway" signs are still posted along Pecos Rd. :rolleyes:
The alignment In Mesa to Meridian Road has be chosen as 1/4 mile (402 m) North of Ray Road, the route east of Meridian Road In Pinal County to US60 In Florence Jct is still in the Planning and Funding Stage.
This route should be AZ 360. 24 is odd
Looks like they say "Future State Route 24", not "Future AZ 24". /anal
Quote from: mapman1071 on January 01, 2014, 12:40:45 AM
This route should be AZ 360. 24 is odd
It's as even as can be.
Quote from: 404inthe404 on January 01, 2014, 12:06:28 PM
Quote from: mapman1071 on January 01, 2014, 12:40:45 AM
This route should be AZ 360. 24 is odd
It's as even as can be.
What he means is that AZ 24 is an unusually assigned number, due to most Arizona state routes usually being higher than 50.
The Superstition used to be AZ 360 before it was completed all the way to Apache Junction and US 60 moved from downtown Mesa
Quote from: national highway 1 on January 04, 2014, 12:31:55 AM
Quote from: 404inthe404 on January 01, 2014, 12:06:28 PM
Quote from: mapman1071 on January 01, 2014, 12:40:45 AM
This route should be AZ 360. 24 is odd
It's as even as can be.
What he means is that AZ 24 is an unusually assigned number, due to most Arizona state routes usually being higher than 50.
Oh uh, ok. Thanks. I absolutely did not understand what he was trying so and was definitely not making a joke
Looks like they're jumping the gun there, especially if they haven't settled on an alignment yet.
As noted in the Phoenix Loops thread, the first segment of AZ 24 opened on May 4, 2014 (a ribbon cutting event was held on April 15):
http://arizona.newszap.com/eastvalley/131760-114/state-route-24-freeway-connection-opened-may-4-in-mesa
QuoteA 1-mile stretch between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Ellsworth is open for traffic. Drivers were able to travel the Valley's newest freeway connection during the Monday morning commute May 5. The first mile of State Route 24 – the Gateway Freeway – is complete and was opened to traffic late Sunday, May 4, according to a press release from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
QuoteThe 1-mile stretch of SR 24 between Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road provides improved access to development in the region surrounding Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, according to the release. Future plans call for State Route 24 to connect with the proposed North-South transportation corridor in Pinal County.
http://arizona.newszap.com/eastvalley/131316-114/hundreds-walk-on-state-route-24-freeway-in-mesa-april-15-prior-to-its-opening
QuoteADOT and the city of Mesa hosted the 4-7 p.m. [AZ 24 freeway ribbon cutting] celebration April 15. Vehicles entered the freeway off Ellsworth Road south of Ray Road and parked on the north-side lanes, east of the Loop 202 ramp. From there, people walked or rode bicycles and skateboards up and down the south lanes of the freeway. A band provided music; canopies were set up for information from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, ADOT and Eastmark; speeches were given by dignitaries including Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and ADOT Director John Halikowski; and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held.
QuoteConstruction of the $73 million project began in March 2012. The city of Mesa accelerated the start of construction by several years through a transportation-bonding program, according to the city's website. SR24 will next head east from Ellsworth Road to Ironwood Drive south of Apache Junction and north of Queen Creek, according to ADOT's website. Additional phases of the project have been suspended until a North-South Corridor Study in Pinal County advances, according to the website.
Wondering about Exit Numbers sequence. Does it start with Exit 1 or Exit numbers comes from Loop 202?
Quote from: SimMoonXP on May 13, 2014, 08:47:14 PM
Wondering about Exit Numbers sequence. Does it start with Exit 1 or Exit numbers comes from Loop 202?
Probably neither. ADOT is doing this really stupid thing where they are signing their new freeway exit numbers based on distance from the border. Which explains why the loop 303 numbering makes literally no sense.
Quote from: 404inthe404 on August 07, 2016, 03:14:38 AM
Quote from: SimMoonXP on May 13, 2014, 08:47:14 PM
Wondering about Exit Numbers sequence. Does it start with Exit 1 or Exit numbers comes from Loop 202?
Probably neither. ADOT is doing this really stupid thing where they are signing their new freeway exit numbers based on distance from the border. Which explains why the loop 303 numbering makes literally no sense.
I don't think they're numbering it to the border, but rather just building in a buffer because they don't know the exact mileage it will eventually reach going south. So by essentially starting at 100 at AZ 85 (the current finalized route), they have 100 miles with which to work with. I know it sounds silly, but it's honestly the best solution given that they don't know where the southern end will exactly be.
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 07, 2016, 01:50:25 PM
Quote from: 404inthe404 on August 07, 2016, 03:14:38 AM
Quote from: SimMoonXP on May 13, 2014, 08:47:14 PM
Wondering about Exit Numbers sequence. Does it start with Exit 1 or Exit numbers comes from Loop 202?
Probably neither. ADOT is doing this really stupid thing where they are signing their new freeway exit numbers based on distance from the border. Which explains why the loop 303 numbering makes literally no sense.
I don't think they're numbering it to the border, but rather just building in a buffer because they don't know the exact mileage it will eventually reach going south. So by essentially starting at 100 at AZ 85 (the current finalized route), they have 100 miles with which to work with. I know it sounds silly, but it's honestly the best solution given that they don't know where the southern end will exactly be.
I emailed them specifically to ask about the 303 milepost numbering, and that's essentially what they told me. Unfortunately they don't answer emails directly, they refer you to an answer on their website which is auto deleted after a while, so I don't have the exact text. I assume that part is for public records stuff.
Any updates on when additional segments of AZ 24 may be constructed?
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 08, 2016, 05:18:04 PM
Any updates on when additional segments of AZ 24 may be constructed?
As of right now, no, since the rest of it is currently unfunded. In June ADOT approved its 2017-2021 construction program, and it doesn't include SR 24, so it probably won't be built until at least 2022.
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 07, 2016, 01:50:25 PM
I don't think they're numbering it to the border, but rather just building in a buffer because they don't know the exact mileage it will eventually reach going south. So by essentially starting at 100 at AZ 85 (the current finalized route), they have 100 miles with which to work with. I know it sounds silly, but it's honestly the best solution given that they don't know where the southern end will exactly be.
I was taking AZ 347 to AZ 84 and noticed the final mile marker was 161. From there, its about 160 (give or take 5) miles to the border at Nogales, taking the route of AZ 84 West, I-8 East, I-10 East, and I-19 South. Leaving 160 miles of buffer room on a rural divided highway that's main purpose is serving two communities and a small suburb seems wasteful.
In either case, it makes mile markers unless in my opinion. Thanks ADOT! :pan:
Quote from: Exit58 on August 26, 2016, 12:24:58 AM
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 07, 2016, 01:50:25 PM
I don't think they're numbering it to the border, but rather just building in a buffer because they don't know the exact mileage it will eventually reach going south. So by essentially starting at 100 at AZ 85 (the current finalized route), they have 100 miles with which to work with. I know it sounds silly, but it's honestly the best solution given that they don't know where the southern end will exactly be.
I was taking AZ 347 to AZ 84 and noticed the final mile marker was 161. From there, its about 160 (give or take 5) miles to the border at Nogales, taking the route of AZ 84 West, I-8 East, I-10 East, and I-19 South. Leaving 160 miles of buffer room on a rural divided highway that's main purpose is serving two communities and a small suburb seems wasteful.
In either case, it makes mile markers unless in my opinion. Thanks ADOT! :pan:
Agreed. They're pretty unless.
If the highway doesn't reach the border, then the distance is "as the crow flies." It's an interesting way to do it. Interesting, but maybe counter-intuitive.
Like I said, I don't think it's related to the mileage to the border at all. Exit 100 is Buckeye Rd, which is the furthest south that the 303 has been confirmed. Nobody knows exactly what's going to happen with I-11 or the Hassayampa Freeway that is in the long-term plans and exactly where those will end up, and in turn where the 303 will exactly end up. I think they just started at 100 at Buckeye because that's a nice, round number to start at for the confirmed route. The only way they could have handled it differently is if they started at Mile 1 at I-17, then moved North-To-South, reverse of the conventional method. The northern end has a defined end point, while the southern end doesn't, so I really don't know how else ADOT could have handled it.
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 26, 2016, 11:06:05 AM
Like I said, I don't think it's related to the mileage to the border at all. Exit 100 is Buckeye Rd, which is the furthest south that the 303 has been confirmed.
Go to Google Maps and use the measuring tool to check the distance from the south end of the 303 to the nearest section of border. It's 100 miles.
Quote from: coatimundi on August 26, 2016, 11:12:48 AM
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 26, 2016, 11:06:05 AM
Like I said, I don't think it's related to the mileage to the border at all. Exit 100 is Buckeye Rd, which is the furthest south that the 303 has been confirmed.
Go to Google Maps and use the measuring tool to check the distance from the south end of the 303 to the nearest section of border. It's 100 miles.
Coincidence.
AZDOT state milepost system map: http://azdot.gov/docs/business/state-milepost-map.pdf?sfvrsn=0
However, the mileposts shown for 303 do not match exit numbering.
Quote from: kurumi on August 26, 2016, 11:39:41 AM
AZDOT state milepost system map: http://azdot.gov/docs/business/state-milepost-map.pdf?sfvrsn=0
However, the mileposts shown for 303 do not match exit numbering.
I think when it was still the original two-lane road, it followed those numbers, but when they converted it into the full freeway it is today, they changed the numbering system because of the southern extension becoming more of a reality.
Does anyone really think Loop 303 will continue for 100 miles southward? I would have made the junction with Interstate 10 mile 0, or maybe mile 0 should have been at Interstate 17, since it is not planned to go east of there.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 30, 2016, 06:21:43 PM
Does anyone really think Loop 303 will continue for 100 miles southward? I would have made the junction with Interstate 10 mile 0, or maybe mile 0 should have been at Interstate 17, since it is not planned to go east of there.
They don't know exactly how far south it will go. I guess they could have used 50 instead of 100, but I think 100 is what they wanted to use at Buckeye since it's the known southern terminus. So if it doesn't go any further south, you know that 105 is 5 miles away from the end, 124 is 24 miles from the end, etc. Then if/when it does go further south, they have numbers to use going down.
As for starting 0 at I-17, that would work, but could there be rules preventing a North/South freeway from using north-to-south numbering? I know the standard is south-to-north, west-to-east, but I don't know exactly how firm those rules are.
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 26, 2016, 11:06:05 AM
Like I said, I don't think it's related to the mileage to the border at all. Exit 100 is Buckeye Rd, which is the furthest south that the 303 has been confirmed. Nobody knows exactly what's going to happen with I-11 or the Hassayampa Freeway that is in the long-term plans and exactly where those will end up, and in turn where the 303 will exactly end up. I think they just started at 100 at Buckeye because that's a nice, round number to start at for the confirmed route. The only way they could have handled it differently is if they started at Mile 1 at I-17, then moved North-To-South, reverse of the conventional method. The northern end has a defined end point, while the southern end doesn't, so I really don't know how else ADOT could have handled it.
Viewed Loop 303 / Interstate 10 stack construction earlier this week. Falsework was supporting the west to south, and south to west flyovers. Box Beam construction. Appears that full freeway will continue south of I-10. A friend I have there stated Goodyear residents in the Estrella area are gearing up to fight it's southward extension.
Quote from: DJStephens on November 04, 2016, 05:52:15 PM
Quote from: Sonic99 on August 26, 2016, 11:06:05 AM
Like I said, I don't think it's related to the mileage to the border at all. Exit 100 is Buckeye Rd, which is the furthest south that the 303 has been confirmed. Nobody knows exactly what's going to happen with I-11 or the Hassayampa Freeway that is in the long-term plans and exactly where those will end up, and in turn where the 303 will exactly end up. I think they just started at 100 at Buckeye because that's a nice, round number to start at for the confirmed route. The only way they could have handled it differently is if they started at Mile 1 at I-17, then moved North-To-South, reverse of the conventional method. The northern end has a defined end point, while the southern end doesn't, so I really don't know how else ADOT could have handled it.
Viewed Loop 303 / Interstate 10 stack construction earlier this week. Falsework was supporting the west to south, and south to west flyovers. Box Beam construction. Appears that full freeway will continue south of I-10. A friend I have there stated Goodyear residents in the Estrella area are gearing up to fight it's southward extension.
That is exactly why that should the 9th Circuit rule in favor of ADOT, the state legislature should introduce legislation to preempt lawsuits against any future road projects.
https://www.pinalcentral.com/san_tan_valley_sentinel/local_news/roadwork-begins-in-pinal-to-prep-for-new-freeway-construction/article_69527892-f0fb-5586-9a30-2855deb0d0f4.html
It looks like AZ 24 is near schedule and going ahead before AZ 30.
Good. There is explosive growth SE of Loop 202 that needs to be addressed, in terms of surface infrastructure. Am also of opinion that neither Loop 303 S of I-10 or even AZ 30 W of 17 would be necessary, had Loop 101 and 202 been "tied" together on the west side of the Phoenix metro. Not sure what has driven planning at certain times out there. Will say though, it is far better than New Mexico's is.
AZ 30 would be inevitable:
a.) Linking Loop 101 and Loop 202 would have wipe Tolleson off the map. Most of Tolleson's core is directly south of the Loop 101/I-10 interchange. Additionally, moving Loop 202 further west would have encroached on the northern part of the GRIC. Given the shitfit they had about the Pecos alignment, this probably was a non-starter.
b.) A lack of space to further widen I-10, especially east of 91st Avenue.
Quote from: DJStephens on February 03, 2021, 07:57:08 AM
Good. There is explosive growth SE of Loop 202 that needs to be addressed, in terms of surface infrastructure. Am also of opinion that neither Loop 303 S of I-10 or even AZ 30 W of 17 would be necessary, had Loop 101 and 202 been "tied" together on the west side of the Phoenix metro. Not sure what has driven planning at certain times out there. Will say though, it is far better than New Mexico's is.
AZ30 really should be completed all the way to I-17 and become the new mainline I-10 alignment with the current Papago Freeway becoming I-410.
Quote from: ztonyg on February 04, 2021, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: DJStephens on February 03, 2021, 07:57:08 AM
Good. There is explosive growth SE of Loop 202 that needs to be addressed, in terms of surface infrastructure. Am also of opinion that neither Loop 303 S of I-10 or even AZ 30 W of 17 would be necessary, had Loop 101 and 202 been "tied" together on the west side of the Phoenix metro. Not sure what has driven planning at certain times out there. Will say though, it is far better than New Mexico's is.
AZ30 really should be completed all the way to I-17 and become the new mainline I-10 alignment with the current Papago Freeway becoming I-410.
Or as I call it, the original plan.
https://arizonaroads.com/pics/urban1957plan2.jpg
Quote from: splashflash on February 02, 2021, 10:02:08 AM
https://www.pinalcentral.com/san_tan_valley_sentinel/local_news/roadwork-begins-in-pinal-to-prep-for-new-freeway-construction/article_69527892-f0fb-5586-9a30-2855deb0d0f4.html
It looks like AZ 24 is near schedule and going ahead before AZ 30.
I was under the impression that AZ 24 was going to be built as more of a pre-freeway parkway for now. There would be stoplights at each interchange but the design would be to where traffic is directed onto what would be the exit ramps at each intersection, with room to construct the full interchanges/bridges later on once funding permits. This would be more like the north/east section of the 303 and AZ 85 south of I-10. The article makes it sound like it's now going in as a full freeway from the beginning.
Edit: the ADOT site says it's going to be a combination of some interchanges with some temporary stoplights until funding provides later on for full freeway.
When Phase II (S. Ellsworth Rd. to N. Ironwood Rd.) is completed next year, what will be the total distance of the AZ 24 highway be at that point? I also wonder how long it will be before the DOT decides what alignment AZ 24 will take in Pinal County, and where 24's eastern terminus will be; perhaps the US 60/AZ 79 (old US 80/89) interchange?
You're probably looking at six miles total -- roughly a mile in place now, plus another five with this addition.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on February 05, 2021, 12:35:04 PM
I also wonder how long it will be before the DOT decides what alignment AZ 24 will take in Pinal County, and where 24's eastern terminus will be; perhaps the US 60/AZ 79 (old US 80/89) interchange?
I don't know if rebuilding/upgrading that interchange is practical. Right now, it not only serves AZ 79 and US 60, but also a back road at the vacant lot that used to be Florence Junction, onto a county road that runs into the town of Queen Valley.
If AZ 24 is ever extended that far east, I would guess that it'd be better to end it at US 60, a mile or two west of the AZ 79 exit.
Quote from: ztonyg on February 04, 2021, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: DJStephens on February 03, 2021, 07:57:08 AM
Good. There is explosive growth SE of Loop 202 that needs to be addressed, in terms of surface infrastructure. Am also of opinion that neither Loop 303 S of I-10 or even AZ 30 W of 17 would be necessary, had Loop 101 and 202 been "tied" together on the west side of the Phoenix metro. Not sure what has driven planning at certain times out there. Will say though, it is far better than New Mexico's is.
AZ30 really should be completed all the way to I-17 and become the new mainline I-10 alignment with the current Papago Freeway becoming I-410.
From knowledge of history of that area - I-10's original route was to take the route of projected AZ 30, and meet I-17 at Durango Curve. From the West. Durango curve is where the orientation of 17 changes in direction, from N-S to E-W. The EB lanes were built then, (1960 ish) higher than the WB, as to allow a directional interchange at a later date.
The entire length of 17, south of 10, is of late fifties/early sixties design standards. It could never handle today's traffic loads that are carried on 10. It has not been upgraded to the extent the section of 17, N of 10 has been (Black Canyon Frwy). The upcoming work on 10's Broadway Curve, which is an "opposing" curve, to 17's Durango Curve, is slated for complete reconstruction, and further expansion. Am guessing they are going to be adding frontage, as well.
Not sure why a future routing of AZ 24 would take it back to the ENE, to meet US 60 @ exit 212. Would think they would route it SSE, along the old US 80/89? corridor towards Coolidge/Florence.
A future routing of AZ 24 would not go ENE. The US 60/AZ 79 interchange is several miles south of the in-process AZ 24 alignment (roughly between Queen Creek Road and Ocotillo if those roads were extended directly east).
Quote from: KeithE4Phx on February 06, 2021, 01:44:38 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on February 05, 2021, 12:35:04 PM
I also wonder how long it will be before the DOT decides what alignment AZ 24 will take in Pinal County, and where 24's eastern terminus will be; perhaps the US 60/AZ 79 (old US 80/89) interchange?
I don't know if rebuilding/upgrading that interchange is practical. Right now, it not only serves AZ 79 and US 60, but also a back road at the vacant lot that used to be Florence Junction, onto a county road that runs into the town of Queen Valley.
If AZ 24 is ever extended that far east, I would guess that it'd be better to end it at US 60, a mile or two west of the AZ 79 exit.
The plan for AZ 24 would be to head slightly SE and terminate at the Pinal N/S Freeway when that gets built.
This article shows that on the map.
https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/ev-tucson-freeway-route-chosen/article_39641e5c-d8a6-11e9-8a03-1397157c0777.html