Arizona board to award grant to combat wrong-way driving

The Arizona State Transportation Board has scheduled a special meeting Friday to announce a construction project grant to one of three bidders to work on a system to help prevent wrong-way drivers.

The board’s decision will follow its approval last month of a $3.7 million plan to construct a thermal-detection system after Gov. Doug Ducey called for state agencies to combat the deadly issue.

The Arizona Department of Transportation says the project will span a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 17. Spokesman Steve Elliott says officials have accelerated the project by pre-ordering materials.

The Wrong Way Driving Detection Pilot Project will use thermal-detection cameras to sense wrong-way vehicles and alert those drivers and others on the freeway with warning signs and advisories.

The system will also notify authorities and highway patrol.