Transportation funding on the decline in AZ (Phoenix: real estate, travel)

[Valley Native]

azcentral.com | Phoenix Arizona News - Arizona Local News

So, let's get this straight: we voted TWICE for a half cent sales tax to fund the cost of new highway projects in the Phoenix metro area. The state has a sufficient tax base from new residents moving here by the droves, plus revenue from the Super Bowl ... and ADOT is once again making excuses that they can't build roads on what is given to them without another hike in taxes. Brilliant!

For those of you who say that it's because of the economy or the recession, ask yourselves why ADOT didn't plan accordingly for slumps in the economy. Any idiot with an ounce of knowledge about economic factors knows that you don't plan a budget solely on bull market conditions, or base your source of revenue primarily from the real estate market!

ADOT has squandered our tax money too many times. In the early '90s, for example, ADOT claimed they didn't have enough money to complete the 231 miles of freeway they promised us in 1985. As a result, several freeway projects (the Paradise Freeway, the Grand Expressway, and the South Mountain Freeway) never got built. I think it's about time we stand up to this inept department of transportation and tell them enough is enough. They need to plan their budgets accordingly and be more prudent with our money, or turn their operation over to a private company.

[Bummer]

It's only gonna get worse, Valley . . .

There will be more cut-backs and feeble excuses once Washington drops the Gas Tax supposedly to "ease the pain" at the pumps.

[motormaker]

Beleive me, it's happening everywhere, not just AZ.

[homlish560]

Arizona's dept. of transportation is got to be the worst-run in the nation.

I have experienced back-ups on highways here because of minor crashes, so they close down the whole route instead making a 2-laned buffer out of the road so traffic won't be at a stand-still.

Making things worse is no alternate routes when major crashes cause the main highway to shut down. Get stuck on I-17 north of Phoenix and you are stuck!!!!!!!!!! No secondary roads for alternates.

Where I'm from, there were always alternate highways to take when there were tie-ups. They were 2-laned, but we still had choices.

Another thing, what's the deal with having lights on the freeways and half of them aren't working when it's dark??????? Pretty dumb.

[mdtoaz]

The link's not working for me, but it's probably my computer.

Anyway, I read that they're considering raising the gas tax and also raising the cost of vehicle registration and drivers' licenses.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by homlish560

Arizona's dept. of transportation is got to be the worst-run in the nation.

You have never dealt with NDOT - Nevada Department of Transportation - AZ is spectacular by comparision

Originally Posted by homlish560

I have experienced back-ups on highways here because of minor crashes, so they close down the whole route instead making a 2-laned buffer out of the road so traffic won't be at a stand-still.

You really cannot blame ADOT for the above - AzDPS is should be the one you direct your comments towards

Originally Posted by homlish560

Making things worse is no alternate routes when major crashes cause the main highway to shut down. Get stuck on I-17 north of Phoenix and you are stuck!!!!!!!!!! No secondary roads for alternates.

Again - I can't blame ADOT. ADOT can't create city streets for you to get around on.

Where I'm from, there were always alternate highways to take when there were tie-ups. They were 2-laned, but we still had choices.

Originally Posted by homlish560

Another thing, what's the deal with having lights on the freeways and half of them aren't working when it's dark??????? Pretty dumb.

I haven't seen this one -

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by homlish560

Making things worse is no alternate routes when major crashes cause the main highway to shut down. Get stuck on I-17 north of Phoenix and you are stuck!!!!!!!!!! No secondary roads for alternates.

There are secondary roads for alternate travel ... but you're generally right about when accidents occur, there is usually no place to turn off & take one of the alternate routes because they are so few & far between. That's ADOT and their lame excuses for you! They keep claiming they have little money to work with for road projects ... even during the times Arizona had a budget surplus!

Originally Posted by homlish560

Another thing, what's the deal with having lights on the freeways and half of them aren't working when it's dark??????? Pretty dumb.

Good observation! I've noticed this also on parts of the 51 & 202. Sections of freeways are completely dark for one mile stretches in some cases. Other times, the dual overhead lights in the medians have only one light working. I doubt if it's because the lights aren't working. It's likely because ADUHT is trying to cut costs in a lazy, ineffective way. It seems they can reduce their costs in better ways besides cutting the juice on freeway lighting in urban areas ... which can be DANGEROUS, by the way!