ADOT To Modernize US 60 Queen Creek Tunnel

Published: Thursday, December 25, 2014 - 5:05am
(Photo courtesy of Arizona Department of Transportation)
The Queen Creek Tunnel was originally built in 1952
(Photo courtesy of Arizona Department of Transportation)
ADOT was awarded a $1 million federal grant to update the lighting system.

Starting next year, the Arizona Department of Transportation will use a $1 million federal grant to modernize the Queen Creek Tunnel on U.S 60. The tunnel, which was built in 1952, is part of ongoing effort to update the state’s highway system.

ADOT plans to install a new LED lighting system in the quarter mile-long tunnel, replacing the existing lighting. It’ll be the first tunnel in the state to have that kind of technology installed. 

ADOT says the grant was part of a program funding innovative transportation projects.

"It also uses what we call an adaptive control system, which adjusts the lighting level within the tunnel based upon what the ambient light and what the weather conditions are outside the tunnel," said Dustin Krugel from ADOT 

ADOT says the updated lighting will reduce power consumption, decrease road closures and traffic delays and improve driver visibility. The agency says this is one of several projects in store for that stretch of U.S. 60 between Phoenix and Globe. Arizona was one of only six states to receive such a grant.