7th Street project continues along Desert Hills Drive

STAFF REPORT ~ 6/29/2011

As part of the Carefree Highway to Desert Hills Drive improvement project, the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) contractor is in the process of grading and paving driveway turnouts and side streets, relocating mailboxes to new permanent locations, placing rock product along roadway shoulders, installing guardrail where required and completing drainage ditch excavation and slope erosion control on both sides of 7th Street.
In an effort to avoid traffic restrictions over the Independence Day holiday weekend, the application of rubberized asphalt and temporary lane striping will begin after July 4. Temporary traffic restrictions can be anticipated while the asphalt is placed in front of driveways and across side streets. After the new pavement has cured, crews will return in approximately four weeks to install permanent thermal plastic reflective striping and roadway markings.
MCDOT is constructing a three-mile segment of 7th Street between Carefree Highway and Desert Hills Drive. This project will widen the existing two-lane roadway by adding a continuous left-turn lane throughout the project corridor, provide additional roadway drainage improvements and realign the southern leg of the Desert Hills Drive and 7th Street intersection.
Additional improvements include the installation of an ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) communication link between the MCDOT Traffic Management Center and the 7th Street school zone between Galvin Street and Cloud Road; the construction of left-turn only lanes on north and southbound 7th Street for east and westbound travel onto Joy Ranch Road and the installation of new drainage pipes at the southeast corner of the 7th Street/Joy Ranch Road intersection.
7th Street/Desert Hills Drive intersection improvements include the westward shift of 7th Street south of Desert Hills Drive to provide a safer intersect with Desert Hills Drive for enhanced traffic safety; the installation of “right-turn only” lanes on north and southbound 7th Street for east and westbound travel onto Desert Hills Drive; and the installation of “left-turn only” lanes in all four directions.
Temporary closures or lane restrictions can be anticipated. Access will be maintained for residents, businesses and emergency vehicles. Please slow down and obey the posted speed limit.
In accordance with seasonal changes, the MCDOT contractor may begin activities as early as 6 a.m. and work until 7 p.m. Some evening or weekend work may be required.