AZDOT Maricopa County State Road 51

Project Overview

Emery Sapp & Sons is partnering with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to complete the rehabilitation project along 9.5 miles of State Road 51 in Phoenix, AZ. ESS is joined by fellow ESSC family brands Rummel Construction and Achen-Gardner Construction to support the work throughout the project.

After examining the condition of the road, diamond grinding was selected as the most efficient solution to repair the road and restore its lifespan without a full reconstruction. The project scope includes 752,400 square yards of diamond grinding and 929,600 square yards of asphalt milling, along with spall repairs, full depth concrete replacement, concrete barrier walls, attenuators, electrical loops, and striping.

To minimize additional traffic, crews are working through the night during the week and nonstop during the weekends to ensure the project stays on schedule.

To keep the milling operations on schedule, the ESS project team stepped in and assembled a crew to operate the equipment. This approach ensured the work remained on schedule and demonstrated the team’s ability to adapt to deliver an efficient solution.

Another significant challenge the team faced was encountering several depressed bridge deck slabs that fall 1.5 inches lower than the surrounding slabs. With help from the Rummel crews, both teams were able to place the asphalt and open the highway to the public in under three days.

Despite these challenges, everyone involved was willing to step up, get their hands dirty, and help wherever it was needed. In return, ESS built a level of trust and respect for the diamond grinding crews, Rummel Construction, and Achen-Gardner Construction, further strengthening relationships across the project.

By using the diamond grinding method, ESS improved the road by smoothing the surface and reducing roadway noise, while preserving the pavement for 30 years. More importantly, this method defers the need for full reconstruction, delivering a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the project.

With an additional scope of work starting in the fall, the project remains on schedule for completion in spring of 2027.