US 93 In Arizona Progress

[SSR_317]

Well, the US 93/Interstate 40 interchange begins construction next year, with a completion date of 2026: https://azdot.gov/projects/northwest-district-projects/i-40us-93-west-kingman-traffic-interchange.

Very happy to see this starting!  The backups have been worse my last few trips even outside of the usual weekends where it's always been an issue.

Yeah, this one was LONG overdue!

[The Ghostbuster]

I think the US 93-to-Interstate 11 conversion between the Arizona/Nevada border and Interstate 40 in Kingman will be the first leg of 11 to be completed. I suspect the segment beyond Interstate 40 will take significantly longer to complete, although it will depend on how much of a priority building out the proposed Interstate 11 corridor in Arizona is.

[Bobby5280]

The segment from Kingman up to the Colorado River should be an easy upgrade. Beyond the short bypass of Beale Street in Kingman there should be little if any need to acquire and remove any buildings possibly in the way. Most of the project would just involve removing at-grade intersections.

It's a similar story from I-40 down to Wickenburg. Wikieup might need a short bypass. But that's about it. It doesn't look like US-93 has out of date geometry.

The toughest tasks are going to be building I-11 South of Wickenburg to/around the Phoenix area. In the meantime they could handle the easy stuff (as funding allows).

[pderocco]

I wonder when they'll get around to the other I-40 interchange. As long as they're fourlaning the remaining few bits of US-93 across the hills, they ought to consider fourlaning that trumpet interchange.

[The Ghostbuster]

I suspect it will be quite a while before anything happens to the US 93 South interchange on Interstate 40. In addition to reconstructing the interchange into a full freeway-to-freeway interchange, the at-grade intersection with Round Valley Rd. will have to be eliminated as well.

[Bobby5280]

Yeah, that trumpet interchange with I-40 and US-93 probably needs to be completely re-built. That tight 25mph cloverleaf ramp for the WB I-40 to SB US-93 movement needs to be replaced with a new flyover ramp. The other existing ramps don't look like they have curve geometry good enough for rural Interstate travel speeds.

It might be possible for them to retain the existing 2-lane bridge over I-40 if it was converted to a one lane ramp for the NB US-93 to WB I-40 movement. That would allow the existing road surface to be repainted with a single lane that actually had shoulders. These days it seems more common for Interstate to Interstate interchanges to have 2-lane movements. So NB US-93 to WB I-40 really would need a bridge deck at least 40' wide to hold two modern lanes as well as proper shoulders. At any rate, the existing bridge looks pretty damned old, even if it has a fresh coat of paint.

[Scott5114]

I'm not sure that there's enough traffic that the WB I-40→SB US-93 ramp is a huge concern. After all, most traffic from points further east would be apt to take I-17 into Phoenix rather than head west to Kingman first. There aren't really a whole lot of origin points between Kingman and Flagstaff where it would make more sense to take US-93 instead of I-17, either.

Obviously, it would be nice to make the geometry friendlier while they're working on the interchange, but I'm not sure if a whole flyover is necessary.

[KeithE4Phx]

I'm not sure that there's enough traffic that the WB I-40→SB US-93 ramp is a huge concern. After all, most traffic from points further east would be apt to take I-17 into Phoenix rather than head west to Kingman first. There aren't really a whole lot of origin points between Kingman and Flagstaff where it would make more sense to take US-93 instead of I-17, either.

There isn't an extreme amount of traffic in most cases, but that ramp is still a huge bottleneck and needs to be upgraded.  I was just on it about a month ago, and it's always the same, mostly because of truck traffic.  Most of 93 north of Wickieup is now 4-lane, and I believe it's imperative to rebuild this ramp ASAP.

[Plutonic Panda]

Yeah caught at the wrong time that ramp can cause some serious backups.

[SSR_317]

BTW, the I-40/US 93 South junction is officially called the Round Valley Interchange (after the local road that branches off to the north just after NB 93 crosses I-40).

For the record, the I-40/US 93 North junction at Beale Street is officially named the West Kingman Interchange. No word on what the new one just northeast of there will be named, or if ADOT is even still assigning names to their newer interchanges.

[The Ghostbuster]

Is naming interchanges common in Arizona? There are plenty of named interchanges here in Wisconsin.

[Bobby5280]

As much as new freeway interchanges cost it only seems appropriate for them to have names. Hell, state DOT agencies might even start selling naming rights, just like sports stadiums have been doing.

[KeithE4Phx]

For the record, the I-40/US 93 North junction at Beale Street is officially named the West Kingman Interchange. No word on what the new one just northeast of there will be named, or if ADOT is even still assigning names to their newer interchanges.

How about the Bottleneck Eliminator Interchange? 

[SSR_317]

For the record, the I-40/US 93 North junction at Beale Street is officially named the West Kingman Interchange. No word on what the new one just northeast of there will be named, or if ADOT is even still assigning names to their newer interchanges.

How about the Bottleneck Eliminator Interchange? 

I like that! Though the local business lobby would likely want to call it the Revenue Killer Interchange.

[Plutonic Panda]

Has there been any talk about what will happen with the current setup along this stretch of Beale Street once the bypass opens? Road diet? Reconfiguration of the current I-40 interchange?

[Bobby5280]

I imagine the road would remain in its current configuration. Let's not forget this, uh, interchange, with US-93 and I-40 will not have all traffic movements built at the outset. Two of the ramps in this "Y" interchange will be built later. That's still going to drop a good amount of traffic onto Beale Street. Anyone coming up from the Southwest of Kingman (such as Lake Havasu City) and headed to Las Vegas will still have to take Beale Street as a "Breezewood" connection into a US-93/I-11 freeway going North to Hoover Dam.

So, something like a "road diet" applied to Beale Street before all movements are built between I-11 and I-40 would be pretty short-sighted and counter-productive (maybe even dangerous).

[KeithE4Phx]

For the record, the I-40/US 93 North junction at Beale Street is officially named the West Kingman Interchange. No word on what the new one just northeast of there will be named, or if ADOT is even still assigning names to their newer interchanges.

How about the Bottleneck Eliminator Interchange? 

I like that! Though the local business lobby would likely want to call it the Revenue Killer Interchange.

Only the major-chain gas stations that charge $0.50+ more per gallon than the independents a couple blocks closer to I-40.  NEVER buy gas on Beale St.  Fill up at the truck stops closer to the Round Valley Interchange, which are much cheaper.

[The Ghostbuster]

Do they have an estimate on how many interchanges would be needed along the US 93 corridor between the Kingman Wash Access Road and the soon-to-be constructed interchange with Interstate 40? How about the number of interchanges along US 93 between Interstate 40 and Wickenburg?

[SSR_317]

Do they have an estimate on how many interchanges would be needed along the US 93 corridor between the Kingman Wash Access Road and the soon-to-be constructed interchange with Interstate 40? How about the number of interchanges along US 93 between Interstate 40 and Wickenburg?

Between Kingman & Nevada, I'm not sure how many interchanges there will be. That would most likely be determined during the NEPA process for converting it to Interstate 11.

As for I-40 (Round Valley Interchange) to the planned Wickenburg Bypass, I saw the plans several years ago online that detailed all the proposed interchanges. Not sure if I have a copy of those plans or not, will search for them in the next several days and let you know. I don't think they are still available online at ADOT. Of course, all such plans are subject to revision, especially given the time that has passed since there were first created. But given the remote, rural nature of US 93 in that area, I doubt they will have to be changed much once AZ gets the money and will to finally implement them.

[Sub-Urbanite]

Do they have an estimate on how many interchanges would be needed along the US 93 corridor between the Kingman Wash Access Road and the soon-to-be constructed interchange with Interstate 40? How about the number of interchanges along US 93 between Interstate 40 and Wickenburg?

While there's no formal estimate, a sensible guess is 7:

• Willow Beach
• Temple Bar Road
• White Rock
• Dolan Springs
• Chloride
• North Golden Valley
• Agua Fria

[SSR_317]

Do they have an estimate on how many interchanges would be needed along the US 93 corridor between the Kingman Wash Access Road and the soon-to-be constructed interchange with Interstate 40? ...

While there's no formal estimate, a sensible guess is 7:

• Willow Beach
• Temple Bar Road
• White Rock
• Dolan Springs
• Chloride
• North Golden Valley
• Agua Fria

Here is my speculated traffic interchanges in the stretch between the state line on the O'Callahan-Tilman Bridge over the Colorado River at Black Canyon and Hoover Dam and Interstate 40 at Kingman (all mileages are unofficial):

Exit	Mile	Road(s)	Places
--	00.00	NV-AZ state line
2	01.79	Kingman Wash Access Rd	Lake Mead National Recreational Area
14	14.17	Willow Beach Rd [access fee to Willow Beach]	Lake Mead National Recreational Area
19	19.17	Temple Bar Rd [CR 143]	Temple Bar
28	28.41	While Hills Rd [CR 145]	White Hills
40	40.45	Pierce Ferry Rd [CR 25]	Dolan Springs
45	45.33	Cottonwood Rd [CR 135]
51	51.12	Big Wash Rd
53	52.75	Chloride Rd [CR 125]	Grasshopper Junction, Chloride
59	58.68	Mineral Park Rd [CR 235], Legend Ranch Rd	Mineral Park
65	65.01	Agua Fria Dr, Sundown Dr
67	67.10	SR 68 WEST, Arizona Port of Entry	Golden Valley, Bullhead City
70	69.84	Beale St [Old US 93 SOUTH]	Kingman, Los Angeles (via I-40 West)
71	70.94	I-40 EAST, US 93 SOUTH	Kingman, Flagstaff, Phoenix

Two additional optional exits were listed in the original ADOT report I used as a basis for the above list as "Proposed (to be funded by developers)", at Mile 24.5 and Mile 49.50. The exit I list at Big Wash Rd (mile 51.12) would replace the latter of those two. Also, the proposed exit numbers use the existing US 93 reference post mileage, which is the opposite of what will be needed for future Interstate 11.

[Bobby5280]

I'm sure they'll have to build some frontage roads of short, limited length to maintain ranch road access, unless they plan to allow at-grade intersections along the route.

[SSR_317]

I'm sure they'll have to build some frontage roads of short, limited length to maintain ranch road access, unless they plan to allow at-grade intersections along the route.

No, since this will become Interstate 11, no at-grade intersections will remain once full access control is established.

[SSR_317]

Do they have an estimate on how many interchanges would be needed along the US 93 corridor between the Kingman Wash Access Road and the soon-to-be constructed interchange with Interstate 40? How about the number of interchanges along US 93 between Interstate 40 and Wickenburg?

Between Kingman & Nevada, I'm not sure how many interchanges there will be. That would most likely be determined during the NEPA process for converting it to Interstate 11.

As for I-40 (Round Valley Interchange) to the planned Wickenburg Bypass, I saw the plans several years ago online that detailed all the proposed interchanges. Not sure if I have a copy of those plans or not, will search for them in the next several days and let you know. I don't think they are still available online at ADOT. Of course, all such plans are subject to revision, especially given the time that has passed since there were first created. But given the remote, rural nature of US 93 in that area, I doubt they will have to be changed much once AZ gets the money and will to finally implement them.

Here are the data I promised regarding US 93 proposed traffic interchanges between I-40 and Wickenburg. This data was mostly compiled from the following three ADOT source documents:

• US 93, Wikieup to I-40 - Final Location/Design Concept Report (July 2001)
• US 93: Santa Maria River to Wikieup - Final Access Management Study (date unknown - downloaded July 2017)
• US 93, Wickenburg to Santa Maria River - Final Location/Design Concept Report (September 2006)

Please note that the Exit Numbers that I list below are relative to US 93 and not to future Interstate 11. Also, it is important to note that there are only 0.92 miles between US 93 reference posts 140 and 142. A 1.09 mile equivalency adjustment is made at 140.47, which becomes 141.56 (there is no reference post 141). Also please note that Round Valley Road is planned to be connected to a new I-40 service interchange (#69 - Cedar Hills Interchange) to be built 1.75 miles west (near I-40 reference post 70.1) of the current I-40/US 93 SOUTH Interchange to which it is presently connected.

Exit	Mile	Interchange Name	Road(s)	Place(s)
91	91.19	Round Valley	I-40	Kingman, Flagstaff
93	93.10		new local access roads
96	95.61	Hackberry Road	Old US 93 [CR 193], Hackberry Rd
99	99.10	Windmill Ranch	new local access roads
103	102.60	Bat Wash	new local access roads
104	104.40	Antelope Wash	new local access roads
107	107.40	Upper Trout Creek	Horse Feathers Ranch Rd, Upper Trout Creek Rd
112	111.50	Lower Trout Creek	Lower Trout Creek Rd, Carpenter Rd
114	113.60	Hofriders Crossing	Cyprus Rd
117	116.63	Diamond Joe Road	Diamond Joe Rd	Carrow-Stephens Ranch (BLM)
119	118.60	Copper Road	Cyprus Bagdad Copper Rd
122	122.34	North Wikieup	Old (existing) US 93 SOUTH, McClure Rd	Wikieup
125	124.67	South Wikieup	Old (existing) US 93 NORTH, Storing Rd	Wikieup
128	127.90	Pliocene Cliffs	Caithness Rd (proposed)
132	132.20	Signal Road	Signal Rd, Burro Creek Crossing Rd
142	142.00	Burro Creek	Burro Creek Campground Rd (via new access road), 17 Mile Rd (via new access road)	Burro Creek Campground
148	148.10	Rogers Ranch	Rogers Ranch Rd	Nothing
155	154.80	SR 97	SR 97	Bagdad
163	162.70	Santa Maria River	Santa Maria Ranch Rd (via new access road)
171	171.30	Tres Alamos	new local access roads
178	178.20	Alamo Road/Date Creek	Alamo Rd (via new access road), Date Creek Ranch Rd (via new access road)	Alamo Lake
183	182.91	SR 71	SR 71	Congress, Aguila
191	190.50	Wickenurg Bypass North	Old (existing) US 93 SOUTH	Wickenburg

[Bobby5280]

I'm sure they'll have to build some frontage roads of short, limited length to maintain ranch road access, unless they plan to allow at-grade intersections along the route.

No, since this will become Interstate 11, no at-grade intersections will remain once full access control is established.

I don't think you understood what I meant about short frontage roads for maintaining ranch road access. Frontage roads would be built in order to prevent ranch roads from intersecting the Interstate main lanes directly. These short frontage roads would be akin to the on/off ramps for a rest area. The frontage roads might run a bit longer or not. They would be there to prevent situations like some guy in a beat-up pickup hauling a trailer and slowly hanging a hard right turn onto the Interstate main lanes. The ranchers would still have access to certain dirt roads via those limited frontage roads. But when they get back on the Interstate they'll have to go to the next full exit in order to cross over to "turn left" in order to go back home.

In Texas they'll be using this approach in certain locations of I-69 projects in far South Texas.