Lurissa Carbajal

The Republic | azcentral.com

The Arizona Department of Transportation was awarded a $6 million federal grant that could help alleviate traffic congestion along the Loop 101 freeway in the Phoenix area.

The grant will allow ADOT to develop a system that will provide drivers who use Loop 101 with information about real-time traffic conditions. This support system will include best routes to take in case of detours and traffic slowing, according to an ADOT press release.

The system also includes other technologies, such as enhanced traffic signal timing to help move traffic on local streets and transit routes when the freeway is congested, according to a recent press release.

“Improving safety and incident response are also keys to managing congestion and are at the heart of this partnership,” John Halikowski, the department’s director said.

The grant will allow for ADOT to partner with Maricopa County and others to design the Loop 101 Mobility Project, according to ADOT.

ADOT hopes to create a mobile app to be included as part of the system to communicate with drivers, according to the press release.

The Loop 101 Mobility Project is expected to be designed and installed within the next four years, ADOT said.

The $6 million grant is in addition to $27 million in existing funds set aside for the project from ADOT and its partners, which include several Valley cities and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation.

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