Nicholas Wilbur
Miner Staff Writer

KINGMAN - ADOT has been researching the benefits of an interchange about three miles east of Andy Devine Avenue to improve what one representative called “very poor” access to the east side of Kingman.

About 50 residents attended a public meeting Tuesday evening and heard the latest information from the Arizona Department of Transportation on the status of the Rattlesnake Wash traffic interchange planned at Interstate 40 mile marker 56.6.

Traffic projections for 2013 and 2030 are completed and arterials planned, so from here, the next step is to include the project in the state’s five-year plan, a necessity to get the project off the ground.

Because the state has already allocated money for design of the interchange in the budget for fiscal year 2008, which begins July 1, it’s likely that the project will make the next five-year plan.

“Nothing is ever certain,” Public Involvement Officer Bill Pederson told the small crowd Tuesday, “but the Arizona State Transportation Board has already approved the funding for this study.”

It has approved the funding for the detailed design for this upcoming fiscal year.

“So I guess the short answer is that we are certain as we could be at this time that when the design is completed and the ADOT board does consider the five-year plan next spring, that it will be included in the plan.”

If the project is successfully placed on that plan next year, residents of Kingman can look forward to an interchange being built in 2013. Wiggins said that if other involved agencies contribute additional funding, it is possible that the project will be completed before 2013.The state has agreed to pay 70 percent of the costs for the project, while the city of Kingman plans on covering the remaining 30 percent.

ADOT will accept comments on this project until July 27. Residents may send concerns or questions regarding the proposed alternatives to this project via mail, electronic mail, phone or fax.

Mail to Arizona Department of Transportation, care of Intrinsic. P.O. Box 3286, Flagstaff, AZ, 86003; call 928-522-6015; fax 928-522-6016; or e-mail Jason@intrinsicinfo.com.

This article was taken from the Kingman Daily Miner