Top 10 Public Projects in Planning

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX

As municipalities and state agencies begin to roll out their Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Improvement Programs and bring new projects to light, BEX wanted to know the current top projects in the public sector that are in the planning stage.

Digging through DATABEX, our online searchable database, we pulled the current Top 10 Public Projects, in order based on total project valuation. Interesting to note, yet not really surprising, is that the largest projects by valuation are all in the Transportation market, showing some incredible road and rail project opportunities coming down the pipeline in the next few years.

10. Loop 101 General Purpose Lanes: Princess Drive to Shea Boulevard

The first project on the list includes the design and construction of a general-purpose lane at Loop 101 from Princess Drive to Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. The total valuation for this Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) project is approximately $130.9M, which increased from $88.9M from last year, according to the FY2022-2026 Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program recently released by ADOT.

Back in May, ADOT issued an RFQ for design and environmental services. The estimated award date is July 6th and a Notice to Proceed Contract for design is expected to be issued on October 4th. Construction is anticipated to start in 2023.

9. I-10: SR 202L (Santan) to Riggs Road

The next project includes the design and construction of general purpose and HOV lanes along Interstate 10, from SR 202L (Santan) to Riggs Road in Chandler. The total valuation for this ADOT project is approximately $154.1M, according to the ADOT Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program. The valuation decreased from $156.8M from last year.

A design firm and general contractor have not yet been selected for this project. Studies are currently underway by HDR, Inc. and expected to be complete in the Spring of 2022. ADOT’s Transportation Program notes that construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

8. 35th Ave / Indian School Rd TI, US 60 (Grand Ave)

This $186.9M ADOT project includes grade separation improvements at the 35th Avenue/Indian School Road intersection at US 60 and the BNSF Railroad. According to the FY2022-2026 Transportation Program, the total project cost decreased from $189.9M from last year.

In 2019, ADOT issued an Engineering Consultant RFQ for a Design Concept Report and Environmental Studies for the project. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. was awarded that contract. A design firm and general contractor have not yet been selected. ADOT’s Transportation Program notes that construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

7. I-17: Anthem Way TI – Cordes Junction

This ADOT project totals about $348M and includes roadway widening and improvements along Interstate 17, north of Anthem Way. These improvements include two flex reversible lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point.

HDR, Inc. is providing general engineering consultant services and Stanley Consultants, Inc. is providing preliminary design services. In 2019, ADOT issued an RFP for a firm to design, build, operate and maintain the project. Three teams have been shortlisted and a contract is anticipated to be awarded in the Fall of 2021.

6. Capitol/I-10 West Light Rail Extension

Valley Metro is planning an approximately $1B Light Rail Extension in Downtown Phoenix, in two separate phases. The first phase will extend the light rail from Downtown Phoenix to the State Capitol. The second phase will continue the extension and connect to the park-and-ride at Interstate 10 and 79th Avenue. The total extension will be approximately 11 miles.

According to Valley Metro’s FY2022 Rail Operating and Capital Budget, the project’s cost totals approximately $360M (excluding financing costs). A design firm and general contractor have not yet been selected. Phase one is expected to be complete by 2026 and phase two is expected to be complete in 2030.

5. Phoenix Sky Harbor Northside Rail Expansion

The City of Phoenix is looking to place the existing Union Pacific Railroad into a 30-foot trench to allow for an expansion of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The expansion will provide an airfield connection to the north cargo and support facilities, as well as an overpass. The trench would extend from Interstate 10 to South 44th Street.

A design firm and general contractor have not yet been selected for this $441M project and, according to the City of Phoenix, an agreement with the railroad has not been finalized.

4. Sonoran Corridor (SR 410)

The Sonoran Corridor is a joint project between ADOT, Pima Association of Governments and the Federal Highway Administration and is planned as a 16-mile stretch of highway to connect Interstate 10 at Rita Road with Interstate 19 at Pima Mine Road in Tucson. The project is anticipated to cost about $600M.

WSP USA is providing preliminary design services and the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study was recently completed. A design firm and general contractor have not yet been selected.

3. I-10 / SR 210 Improvements, Tucson

Next on the list is a large ADOT Master project that will make improvements to Interstate 10 from the I-10/I-19 interchange at Kolb Road and SR 210 from Golf Links Road, to a future connection along Alvernon Way in Tucson.

Because the project costs about $1.2B total, it will be completed in 18 different phases starting with the Country Club Road TI. A design firm and general contractor has not yet been selected for the first project, but it is anticipated that the first project will be designed in 2022.

2. SR30 West Valley Freeway, Goodyear

This approximately $1.7B project is shared between ADOT and the Maricopa Association of Governments. It consists of a new 15-mile State Route to provide relief in the West Valley. It would run parallel to Interstate 10 and would connect the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway to a planned 303 extension.

ADOT currently has the first phase on its Five-Year Transportation program, with a total of $594.5M. HDR, Inc. is providing scoping study and planning and environmental study services for the project. A design firm and general contractor have not yet been selected, and ADOT notes the first phase to start construction in 2025.

1. Tucson to Phoenix Passenger Rail, Yellow Corridor Alternative

The final project on our list is the $4.5B Tucson to Phoenix Passenger Rail project, which would parallel Interstate 10 starting in Tucson and follow Union Pacific’s corridor north from Eloy and would eventually run to Downtown Phoenix.

During the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, ADOT, chose the “Yellow Corridor” alternative out of seven possible alternatives. This project is currently in the pre-planning stage as funding source has been identified. There is currently no construction scheduled or design firm and general contractor associated with this project.

That is the list of the Top 10 Public projects in Planning, by project value, throughout Arizona. If you have not yet subscribed to DATABEX and would like to see more projects, register for our bi-weekly webinar here.