LAKE HAVASU CITY – Highly criticized medians on State Route 95 in Lake Havasu City are about to get a revision to soften what some motorists have said has turned into more of intrusion on the roadway and caused accidents.
A contractor for the Arizona Department of Transportation is beginning work this week on two key sections of the roadway medians based on community input, according to an ADOT press release.
The new medians from South Palo Verde Boulevard to Industrial Boulevard and North Palo Verde Boulevard to Price Drive made their debut last year and almost immediately drew concerns. Drivers complained to city leaders at public meetings and on social media that the medians narrowed the fast lane, could cause more accidents and were hard to see at night.
At a recent Coffee with the Mayor and Two Chiefs meeting, Mayor Cal Sheehy said he and other city officials were surprised when they saw what the medians ended up being. He said it was the citizen complaints to the state that led to ADOT returning to address the concerns.
“We didn’t have the scoping documents (detailing the original work to be done),” said Sheehy, who sits on the board for the Lake Havasu Metropolitan Planning Organization. He said he thought the medians were going to be a concrete block type barrier and was surprised when that wasn’t the case.
Reflectors and reflective paint were added in response to complaints that it was difficult seeing the medians at night. And now, the contractor is expected to cut back on the width of the medians restoring space for the roadway.
The revision work began Tuesday with 24-hour restrictions expected to be in place until 6 a.m., Thursday, March 5, according to an ADOT press release.
Highway 95 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction between South Palo Verde Boulevard and Industrial Boulevard and from North Palo Verde Boulevard to Price Drive (mileposts 183 to 188). A 14-foot vehicle width restriction will be in place. The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone. Business access will be maintained during construction.
