A
rizona State Route 87, which got its
nickname because it makes a
“beeline” from the Valley to Payson, is
currently receiving an improved flight
path.
The stretch of highway at the Slate
Creek Curve near the community of
Sunflower is vulnerable to rock fall from
the surrounding slopes. To improve
highway safety at this location,
approximately 45 miles north of Mesa, the
Phoenix office of Skanska is completing a
$6.1 million roadway project for the
Arizona Department of Transportation
(ADOT). The work includes roadway
TWENTY
realignment, slope stabilization, and the
installation of a truck escape ramp.
In addition to the excavation of
existing rock slopes to accommodate the
new roadway curve alignment, the project
includes installation of earth anchors and
a mesh system to stabilize the new slope
cut. Production and placement of arrestor
bed aggregate and naturally rounded rock
will help provide the speed reduction
element in the truck escape ramp.
“Skanska has been very effective in
communicating with the surrounding area
regarding the construction occurring on
State Route 87,” Tom Goodman, P.E.,
resident engineer for ADOT, says. “We
greatly appreciate their proactive
approach in helping to manage people’s
expectations.”
“This project will improve roadway
safety and conditions for all drivers using
Images courtesy of Skanska
Construction Around Arizona
Skanska Protects the
Beeline at Sunflower
State Route 87,” Skanska’s Phoenix Civil
Construction Division Manager Chris
Halpin says. “We are grateful to our team
and partners for helping us work through
the challenges of excavating 120-foot rock
slopes and preventing future rock fall.”
Above, left to right: Hector Vasquez (raker),
Matt Dey (paver operator), Chance Kelly, Tony
Stanley (brown hard hat), Reed Stoffel
(shovel), and Otis Meeks (far back right).
Winter 2015