The system will have information on Mexican Federal 8 during long holiday weekends
Contributed Article/Courtesy ADOT
PHOENIX—Arizona is expanding the reach of the AZ511 traveler information system on holiday travel weekends with a pilot program that includes highway restrictions and other traffic-related events on the highway between Lukeville and Puerto Peñasco in the Mexican state of Sonora.
The first Mexican Federal 8 highway updates will appear on AZ511 over Thanksgiving weekend. Officials in Sonora will contact the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center, where operators will enter information into the AZ511 system.
“ADOT’s vision is safely connecting people and empowering the economy, and this joint effort with our partners in Sonora is helping us expand that to peak times for travel to and from Puerto Peñasco,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said.
Mexico is by far Arizona’s largest and most important source of Arizona’s international visitors. Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, is a popular destination for Arizonans.
“This is a perfect time to expand the critical traveler services offered by AZ511, as we always welcome increased drive visitation from Mexico during this time of year,” said Lisa Urias, Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. “Visitors from Mexico love coming to Arizona to visit family and shop during the holidays, and AZ511 helps make the international travel experience as enjoyable and efficient as possible.”
This pilot program stems from collaboration among ADOT, the Arizona-Mexico Commission, the Arizona Office of Tourism, and the State of Sonora’s Comisión Sonora-Estados Unidos. It was announced on Oct. 25 at an Arizona-Mexico Commission conference in Hermosillo, Sonora.
