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Advancing Arizona’s Digital Infrastructure: ADOT’s Statewide Broadband Initiative

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Tom McCullough

Gabrielle Amado

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Overview

ADOT is pioneering a statewide broadband initiative to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity across the State. This presentation will showcase the comprehensive approach to implementing middle-mile broadband infrastructure along major corridors including I-17, I-19, I-40, and OMC.

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I-17 Broadband: Phoenix to Flagstaff

  • 141-Miles of Broadband Infrastructure
  • Three Phases
    • 1. I-40/Flagstaff to McGuireville RA �(44 Miles)
    • 2: CMAR – McGuireville RA to Anthem Way (68 Miles)
    • 3: Existing Conduit – Anthem Way to Van Buren (29 Miles)

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I-17 Design Challenges

  • Challenges/Solutions
    • Environmental Sensitive Areas
    • Utilities/ROW
    • Schedule
    • Flex lane project

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I-17 Construction Challenges

  • Challenges/Solutions
    • Rocky & Steep Terrain
      • Micro-Trench in Paved Shoulder
    • Triple Pull Box (No. 9) in Series
      • Identifying locations
    • Conflicts with Flex Lane Project
      • Conduit Alignment was moved to NB side
      • Deep Trench within Median
      • Pushed Conduit to R/W Edge (Avoided Excavation Ares)

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I-19 Infrastructure Design-Build

  • Joint Venture with Kimley-Horn, Sundt & CS Construction
  • 63 miles of new seven-way multi-duct conduit and new pull boxes
  • Direct bury multi-duct conduit begins west of West Street, near the U.S. Border in Nogales and ends at Valencia Road
  • Existing conduit was utilized five miles south of Valencia Road to I-10

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I-19 Design/Construction Challenges

  • Challenges/Solutions
    • Environmental & Utility Conflicts
      • Environmental clearance limits were provided by ADOT
      • Pima Pineapple Cactus
      • San Xavier Tribal Lands
      • Railroad Crossings
    • Bridge Crossings & Washes
      • Work restricted from the wash
    • Separating Fiber Optic Cabling for ADOT & Sun Corridor Network
      • 1-288 SMFO for TSMO
      • 1-288 SMFO for SCN
    • Pull Box Procurement Delays
    • Innovative Collaboration

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I-40 Broadband: CA State Line to I-17/I-40 TI

  • Installation of a 288 SMFO micro-fiber optic cable for ADOT and to be used for immediate commercialization by the future OMC vendor to private broadband providers
  • Extends the fiber from where I-17 project left off while bringing broadband directly to Williams, Ash Fork, Seligman, Topock, Kingman and other cities in Northern AZ

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I-40 Design Challenges

  • Challenges/Solutions
    • Environmental
      • Black-Footed Ferret
      • White Margined Penstemon
      • Bureau of Land Management
    • Railroad Crossings
      • Permit obtained within previous I-40 project limited design changes within the area
    • Micro-Trench with T-Top
      • 2’ Wide x 2.5” Depth
    • Allo Fiber
      • 10 Miles of Existing Conduit

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I-40 Design Challenges

  • Challenges/Solutions Continued
    • Coordination with On-Going Projects
      • West Kingman TI
      • Ranch Santa Fe TI
      • Kingman Crossing
      • I-40 VSL
      • I-40 ITS Improvements
    • Strategic Conduit Alignment vs. Traffic Control
      • No Traffic Control Devices with the State of California

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AZ Middle-Mile Operate Maintain Commercialize (OMC) Services

  • Partnership between ACA and ADOT
  • Goal – Support and Advance the Middle-Mile network to enable high speed internet for AZ communities, promoting digital equity and minimizing the digital divide.
  • 25 Year Contract – EX2 Technologies
  • Commercialization Opportunities and Creative Investment Options for ACA/ADOT as a vendor neutral advocate.

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Next Steps

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Internet For All!

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Questions?

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