Providing Smart Work Zone Technology for Major ADOT Project

AWP Safety Brings Smart Work Zone Technology to $6.2 Million ADOT Bridge Rehabilitation Project

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), with Granite Construction, is rehabilitating four bridges along a 10-mile stretch of I-10 between Tucson and Benson, Arizona. To keep crews and drivers safe — and keep traffic moving — ADOT selected AWP Safety to deliver traffic control expertise and intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology for a truly modern Smart Work Zone.

Customer Challenge

Granite Construction, one of the largest diversified construction companies in the U.S., is upgrading four bridges along I-10, including two interchange overpasses and two bridges over a major railroad route. The work scope is extensive, including pavement replacement, approach slabs, concrete barriers, guardrails, restriping and more. All of it must be executed quickly and safely while maintaining mobility on a heavily traveled urban corridor.

In addition to standard work zone safety needs — reliable lane closures, clear guidance for motorists, and strong protection against work zone incursions — ADOT uncovered a specific operational need: limiting heavy truck traffic over one bridge with additional weight restrictions to reduce safety exposure and liability.

AWP Safety Solution

This major infrastructure project requires more than traditional traffic control. The AWP Safety-secured worksite is technology enabled, featuring Smart Work Zone solutions that improve crew and motorist situational awareness in real time.

Intelligent Traffic Solutions (ITS)
AWP Safety integrated ITS devices — including sensor systems and cameras — into the work zone to collect real-time traffic data. This data communicates timely alerts about delays, lane closures, and changing conditions to the public through dynamic signage and connected-vehicle channels to reduce traffic congestion and travel delays.

Traffic Incursion Warning System (TIWS)
To strengthen protection for crews working inside active areas, AWP Safety implemented a TIWS that detects unauthorized entry into controlled zones. TIWS devices strategically placed along the work area provide immediate audio and visual warnings so construction workers can react quickly when a vehicle enters where it shouldn’t.

24-hour heavy-truck detour control
AWP Safety implemented a 24-hour flagger station to turn heavy trucks around and redirect them away from the weight-restricted bridge. This proactive measure helps ADOT limit risk, protect the current structure’s integrity, and prevent the possibility of bridge collapse during reconstruction.

Results

Through consistent staffing, responsiveness, and technology-enabled traffic management, AWP Safety is helping ADOT and Granite Construction:

• Stay on Schedule: Work is expected for completion in Spring 2026
• Maintain a Strong Safety Record: Zero work zone injuries have occurred since work started in November 2025.
• Improve Public Safety: Motorists receive clearer information to help them plan their travel route and choose better driving behaviors.
• Reduce Risk and Liability: Reduced heavy-truck traffic over one weight-restricted bridge.

On this project safety and mobility depend on real-time visibility, not guesswork. We’re using smart work zone technology and incursion detection to turn live traffic conditions into actionable alerts for the field. That means crews have better warning, ADOT has stronger risk control, and drivers get clearer guidance through the work zone. It’s a different standard than ‘set it and forget it’ traffic control — and it’s where the industry is headed.

– Robert Sanchez, AWP Safety area manager in Southern Arizona

Why Smart Work Zone TEchnology Matters For Future Road Infrastructure Projects

Major interstate rehabilitation projects demand more than standard traffic control. They require partners who can scale coverage, adapt to changing site conditions, and bring technology that improves awareness, response time and decision making inside the
work zone. By pairing Smart Work Zone and Traffic Incursion Warning System capabilities, AWP Safety helps DOTs and contractors modernize how work zones operate — protecting workers and the public while keeping critical infrastructure projects moving forward.

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