The Old West Highway

US 60: Florence Junction to Globe

Project Descriptions

Florence Junction TI

Last year, ADOT completed the construction of a traffic interchange on US 60 between MP 211.1 and MP 213.6 at its intersection with SR 79, an area commonly referred to as Florence Junction. The project is located within an unincorporated area of Pinal County, 18 miles southeast of Apache Junction, Arizona. The purpose of the project was to improve the capacity and operational efficiency of the intersection. The intersection exhibited a high rate of “T-bone” accidents and near misses caused, in part, by traffic on northbound SR 79 failing to stop and yield right-of-way to traffic on eastbound US 60. Constructing a grade-separated interchange will help alleviate congestion and improve traffic operations as traffic volumes continue to increase over time.

Florence Junction TI (before improvements)

As described in the project documents, construction activities included building two new eastbound and two new westbound lanes on US 60, constructing an embankment and two new bridges to carry US 60 traffic over SR 79, constructing exit and entrance ramps, and extending four concrete box culverts on US 60. The old US 60 roadway was retained as a local road, providing access to El Camino Viejo and private parcels in the vicinity. Cul-de-sac turnarounds were constructed at each end of the portion of US 60 retained for local access, and excess pavement was removed. In addition, SR 79 was reconstructed to provide two through lanes in both directions. Dual left-turn lanes were constructed for the northbound to westbound turning movements. South of the interchange, southbound SR 79 was widened from two to four lanes to provide increased capacity and improved merging area.

The Florence Junction TI project was named Best Transportation Project in Arizona by the American Public Works Association in 2004 and won the 2001 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Award (Associated General Contractors of America).

Florence Junction to Superior

ADOT has selected a preferred alternative for improving US 60 from Florence Junction to Superior in northeastern Pinal County, Arizona. The proposed project area begins 0.5 mile west of Florence Junction at MP 211.7 and ends at the US 60/SR 177 junction in the town of Superior (MP 226.8). ADOT is currently in the final design stage for the segment of the project area from Florence Junction to the Queen Creek bridge (MP 222.2). Construction of this segment is anticipated to begin in summer 2006.

US 60 west of Florence Junction

The project's purpose is to improve traffic operations on US 60, provide adequate capacity for current and projected traffic volumes, and improve passing opportunities. Currently, this segment of US 60 has a high level of head-on collisions that has been attributed to limited passing opportunities and impatient drivers. Separation of the eastbound and westbound lanes will improve traffic operations, provide greater passing opportunities, and reduce the likelihood of head-on traffic collisions. Addition of new lanes will increase the roadway's capacity.

US 60 through Gonzales Pass

ADOT recently completed a Design Concept Study to develop, evaluate, and recommend design concept alternatives for the US 60 improvements. In addition, the potential environmental impacts of the alternatives were assessed. The results of the study are described in the Initial Design Concept Report and Draft Environmental Assessment. A public hearing was held on June 10, 2003, to allow public comment on the study findings. A Final Environmental Assessment was prepared to finalize the study findings and respond to comments received at the public hearing. The Final Design Concept Report was finalized in May 2004.

US 60 coming into Superior

The selected improvement alternatives will provide a four-lane divided highway between Florence Junction and Superior. Within Superior, a five-lane urban roadway with a continuous center turn lane is proposed. A five-lane urban facility will provide improved access to the various businesses and side streets in this developed area.

Superior to Globe

ADOT is currently conducting a Feasibility Study to identify, develop, and evaluate preliminary alternatives for improving US 60 from Superior to Globe. The Feasibility Study is the first step in defining what improvements are needed, and will provide the basis for long-range planning and decision-making in this area. The study limits begin near the Boyce Thompson Arboretum at MP 223.8 and extend eastward to the US 60/US 70 intersection at MP 254.5, within Pinal and Gila Counties, Arizona.

The purpose of the highway improvements is to enhance the safety and traffic operational characteristics of the roadway and to meet existing and future traffic demands. Several bypass alignments around Superior and Globe-Miami are being considered as well as improvements to the existing roadway. The Superior bypass routes begin near MP 223.8 (west of Superior) and extend north 2 to 4 miles, then head east to Top of the World. The Miami-Globe bypass routes depart the existing highway near Pinto Valley, heading south and east to SR 77, and then follow an extension of SR 77 north to rejoin the existing US 60 route northeast of Globe.

An Initial Feasibility Report was completed in April 2002, and the Final Feasibility Report was completed in October 2004. In the near future, ADOT will begin detailed investigations of the alternatives recommended for further study in a Design Concept Study and Environmental Assessment.

This page updated: December 21, 2005.