GILBERT, AZ — The U.S. 60 will be closed in the East Valley for another night — its fifth night in a row — and will be closed again over the weekend to continue road maintenance
and pavement removal, which has brought added debris and dust to the morning and evening commutes, according to drivers.
I have asked @ArizonaDOT for an on-camera interview for two days about it. They have declined. @Adam_Waltz is tracking how you can submit damage claims if your vehicle was hit by debris/dust on this stretch of roadway. His story tonight on #abc15. https://t.co/CIYLTyUpoG
— Megan Thompson (@MeganABC15) November 9, 2021
East Valley commuters drove through dust and flying debris Monday morning, raising concerns from drivers as another highway closure looms.
Over the weekend, the eastbound US 60 from Gilbert and Greenfield roads in the East Valley was closed for road maintenance and pavement removal. On Monday morning, when the section of the highway reopened, drivers were forced to drive through a cloud of dust while being pelted with debris.
"It was like driving through a hailstorm," commented Julie Benzer on an ABC15 Facebook post. "Asphalt pieces flying everywhere."
Early Monday morning, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) tweeted a dust advisory for the area, and told ABC15 that they are aware of the problem, and working with the contractor, McNeil Brothers Inc., to address it.
DUSTY COMMUTE for East Valley motorists on US 60 near Val Visa and Greenfield.
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 8, 2021
Check your route before you head out with the ADOT Alerts and AZ511 apps: https://t.co/MxTvyyEdpM#phxtraffic pic.twitter.com/jxyRHu59lf
ADOT told ABC15 Monday afternoon that there was another planned closure Monday, Nov. 8, at 8 p.m. through Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 5 a.m. in the same stretch of road for roadway maintenance.
However, as drivers got back onto the roadway Tuesday morning following the overnight closure, more dust was seen on ADOT cameras.
Another closure is planned on the westbound US 60 from Greenfield to Gilbert Roads this Friday, Nov. 12, at 9 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 15, at 5 a.m. for asphalt removal and pavement sweeping.
For drivers who may have suffered a cracked windshield along this stretch of highway, as long as you're covered by car insurance, your windshield replacement should be free of charge.
"Generally under their comprehensive coverage there’s an option where they can include a zero deductible for windshields," said State Farm Insurance Agent Dondrell Swanson. "There’s no limit on the number of times that drivers can receive a new windshield. Anecdotally, Arizona has much higher windshield claims than any other state."
Anyone whose vehicle was damaged can submit a complaint through the Arizona Department of Administration Risk Management website. You can use the website to find the best form to submit your complaint.
