Editing Interstate 8 (section)

===Arizona===
{{see also|U.S. Route 80 in Arizona|Arizona State Route 84}}
[[File:Interstate 8 Eastern Terminus.jpg|thumb|right|I-10 approaching the eastern terminus of I-8]]
Between Yuma and Gila Bend, I-8 runs alongside the routes of both the [[Gila Trail]] and the [[Butterfield Overland Mail Company]] line. The latter was a [[stagecoach line]] that went between [[Tipton, Missouri]], and San Francisco, with several stations in between, and was used to transport passengers across the country at {{convert|5|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} between 1858 and 1861.<ref>{{harvp|Trimble|2004|pp=399–340}}.</ref> In later years, the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] was constructed, paralleling the Gila River east of Fortuna;<ref>{{cite book |url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/geology/publications/bul/845/sec25.htm |title = Guidebook of the Western United States |publisher = Government Printing Office |author = Darton, D.H. |year = 1933 |location = Washington D.C. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150203040904/http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/geology/publications/bul/845/sec25.htm |archive-date = February 3, 2015 }}</ref> by 1877, the tracks were complete to Yuma. Work continued the next year, and, by 1880, the tracks were extended to Tucson from Yuma.<ref>{{cite book |url = http://www.cprr.org/Museum/SP_1869-1944/ |title = Seventy-Five Years of Progress |publisher = Southern Pacific Bureau of News |author = Heath, Erle |year = 1945 |location = San Francisco |access-date = July 17, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140502033002/http://www.cprr.org/Museum/SP_1869-1944/ |archive-date = May 2, 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref>

This portion of the route of US&nbsp;80, predecessor of I-8, was originally part of the proposed state system of highways in 1921.<ref name="1921 map">{{cite map |author = Arizona Highway Department |location = Phoenix |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1921-az.jpg |title = Tentative 7% System |year = 1921 |access-date = December 14, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160319100204/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1921-az.jpg |archive-date = March 19, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> By 1926, this section became part of the cross-country highway [[U.S. Route 80 in Arizona|US&nbsp;80]]. The route was not paved at this time, but was a gravel road along the entire corridor.<ref name="1926 map">{{cite map |author = Arizona Highway Department |location = Phoenix |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1926-az.jpg |title = Map of Arizona |year = 1926 |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |access-date = December 14, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074648/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1926-az.jpg |archive-date = March 4, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> By 1928, the portion of I-8 between Gila Bend and Casa Grande was designated as SR&nbsp;84.<ref>{{cite web |date = February 7, 1928 |author = Arizona Department of Transportation |publisher = Arizona Department of Transportation |access-date = May 4, 2008 |url = http://www.azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1928-P-144 |title = Resolution 1928-P-144 |work = Right-of-Way Resolutions |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110904202420/http://www.azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1928-P-144 |archive-date = September 4, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> A small portion of the highway was paved near Yuma and SR&nbsp;84 was under construction by the next year.<ref name="1929 map">{{cite map |author = Arizona Highway Department |location = Phoenix |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1929-az.jpg |title = Map of Arizona |year = 1929 |access-date = December 14, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160326175224/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1929-az.jpg |archive-date = March 26, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> SR&nbsp;84 was completed by 1930, but not paved, and the segment of US&nbsp;80 between [[Aztec, Arizona|Aztec]] and [[Sentinel, Arizona|Sentinel]] had been paved.<ref name="1930 map">{{cite map |author = Arizona Highway Department |location = Phoenix |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1930-az.jpg |title = Condition Map of State Highway System |year = 1930 |access-date = December 14, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160319022611/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1930-az.jpg |archive-date = March 19, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Paving of SR&nbsp;84 had commenced by 1934, with the portion of the highway in Maricopa County being paved.<ref name="1934 map">{{cite map |author = Arizona Highway Department |location = Phoenix |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1934-az.jpg |title = Condition Map of State Highway System |year = 1934 |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |access-date = May 4, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160314145514/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1934-az.jpg |archive-date = March 14, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> A group of San Diego citizens raised concerns about the road from Yuma to Gila Bend not being paved in 1934, due to the impact that this would have on tourism in San Diego, and made a request to the federal government to have it paved.<ref>{{Cite news |title = SD Aid Sought to Win Funds for Improving Route to City |date = April 1, 1934 |work = The San Diego Union |edition = Imperial Valley |page = A1 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref> The entire future corridor of I-8 had been paved from Yuma to Casa Grande by 1935.<ref name="1935 map">{{cite map |url = http://www.arizonaroads.com/maps/index.html |title = Road Map of Arizona |year = 1935 |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |first = H.M. |last = DeMerse |location = Phoenix |access-date = May 4, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080506234706/http://www.arizonaroads.com/maps/index.html |archive-date = May 6, 2008 |url-status = live }}</ref> Drivers were told to bring spare fan belts, radiator hoses, and additional drinking water for the journey traversing the desert.<ref>{{harvp|Trimble|2004|p=154}}.</ref> A "Shortcuts Association" began in 1952 to promote SR&nbsp;84 as a route to bypass Phoenix on the way to San Diego.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Group to Mark SD Shortcuts |date = August 26, 1952 |work = The San Diego Union |page = A6 |oclc = 13155544 }}</ref>

With the coming of the Interstate Highways, the corridor was to be upgraded to Interstate standards. In late 1958, a group of motel owners whose properties were located on SR&nbsp;84 strongly objected to any routing of I-8 that would not go through the city of Casa Grande.<ref>{{cite news |title = Motel Men Seem to Prefer Fenced-Off Road Through City |work = Casa Grande Dispatch |date = November 20, 1958 |author = Mauntz, Ted |page = 1 |oclc = 16877473 }}</ref> Motel owners in Yuma proposed their own alternative in 1961 to the four routings of I-8 through the city that had been proposed, raising concerns about losing revenue from tourism.<ref>{{cite news |title = Yuma Motel Owners Urge Different Route |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = December 3, 1961 |page = 16 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref> In January 1962, the alternatives were narrowed down to two, with one of them being the route supported by the motel owners. However, nearby school officials expressed concerns regarding that route, because 1200&nbsp;students would no longer be able to walk to school if the freeway was constructed along that route.<ref>{{cite news |title = Interstate 8 Appears Set for One of Two Routes |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = January 4, 1962 |page = 1 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref> Later that year, a new route had been proposed, along the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks and the Colorado River.<ref>{{cite news |title = Highway Dept. Plans Traffic Study Here |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = September 5, 1962 |page = 1 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref> Construction was completed on the first sections of I-8 in Arizona in 1958. The first section was {{convert|1.33|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} long, which included a grade-separated interchange south of the [[Painted Rock Petroglyph Site]]. The second section, which was {{convert|0.83|mi|km|abbr=off}} in length, also included a grade separated interchange at [[Aztec, Arizona|Aztec]], just east of [[Dateland, Arizona|Dateland]]. The interchange at [[Sentinel, Arizona|Sentinel]], and the section between Aztec and the [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County]] line, which included the construction of another interchange, were both completed in 1959.<ref>{{ADOT log|year=1965|access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> The initial construction was divided into four different sections awarded to different contractors. Work commenced with a section of US&nbsp;80 between [[Sentinel, Arizona|Sentinel]] and Gila Bend on December&nbsp;10, 1960. This was also the section of I-8 completed in Arizona on April 18, 1962.<ref name="AZRepublic1962">{{Cite news |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32739020/state_road_jobs_eyed_by_house/ |title = State Road Jobs Eyed by House |last = Cole |first = Ben |date = May 1, 1963 |work = Arizona Republic |access-date = June 10, 2019 |location = Phoenix |pages = 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32739065/state_road_jobs_eyed_by_house_part_2/ 4] |via = Newspapers.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190826224403/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32739020/state_road_jobs_eyed_by_house/ |archive-date = August 26, 2019 |url-status = live }}</ref> By 1963, work was well under way, with portions of US&nbsp;80 between [[Mohawk, Arizona|Mohawk]] and Gila Bend, and SR&nbsp;84 between Gila Bend and near Stanfield upgraded.<ref name="1963 map">{{cite map |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1963-az.html |title = Road Map of Arizona |year = 1963 |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |author1 = Arizona Highway Department |author2 = Rand McNally |scale = 1&nbsp;in:24&nbsp;mi |access-date = May 4, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621235009/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1963-az.html |archive-date = June 21, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> Other merchants objected to the routing, and met with the Yuma County Board of Supervisors to raise their concerns following the final approval of the route in 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title = Yuma Mesa Merchants Protest to County About Bypass |work = The Arizona Republic |date = January 10, 1964 |author = Grounds, Lucy |location = Phoenix |page = 17 |oclc = 2609778 }}</ref> A new park was to be built east of the Colorado River crossing, just opposite downtown; city officials hoped that this would give an improved look to the town as drivers first arrived.<ref>{{cite news |title = Shrewd Planning Used to Revitalize Yuma |work = The Arizona Republic |date = July 3, 1966 |page = A17 |oclc = 2609778 }}</ref>

Nevertheless, there was controversy over the work in Arizona as well. In 1964, a [[U.S. House of Representatives]] investigation discovered that poor management and lack of efficiency were prevalent in four of the projects constructing the I-8 freeway. The Arizona Highway Department was specifically cited in the report for not taking into account protecting government interests when selecting labor for the projects. Several errors were discovered, and one of them, adding too much clay to the gravel mixture, cost the state of Arizona $26,278 (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|26278|1963|r=-3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} to fix.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Officials Claim Shock at Road Test Fakes |last = Cole, Ben |date = May 8, 1963 |work = The Arizona Republic |location = Phoenix |page = 1 |oclc = 2609778 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = House Unit Lambastes Arizona Road Building |work = Los Angeles Times |date = June 20, 1964 |page = 8 |oclc = 3638237 }}</ref> By that year, construction had begun on the freeway west of Casa Grande, while the rest of the Arizona routing was in the design stages.<ref>{{cite news |title = Arizonans May Use Freeways Long Before Interstate System Complete |work = The Arizona Republic |date = June 28, 1964 |page = 16A |oclc = 2609778 }}</ref>

In 1965, a $1.46&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|1460000|1965|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} contract was granted to build the {{convert|5.7|mi|km|adj=on}} portion from near Araby Road east through Fortuna Wash.<ref>{{cite news |title = $1.5 Million Interstate 8 Job Let For 5.7 Miles near Araby Road |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = January 16, 1966 |oclc = 112799251 }}</ref> Two years later, it was estimated that construction would be complete by 1969, except for the Colorado River bridge. The highway was in progress through the Telegraph Pass east of Yuma, and the portions from Avenue 9-E to 4-E, from there to 4th&nbsp;Street in Yuma, and to the river were estimated to cost $9.69&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|9690000|1967|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} in total.<ref>{{cite news |title = Yuma Will Have I-8 Freeway by 1969 |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = February 23, 1967 |page = 6 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref> Following local complaints, Francis Turner, the executive director of the federal [[Bureau of Public Roads]], agreed to look at constructing an interchange at Trekell Road in Casa Grande again, after an earlier decline to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Highway Chief Promises to Reconsider Access |date = June 4, 1967 |work = Casa Grande Dispatch |page = 1 |oclc = 16877473 }}</ref> Work began on the Casa Grande part of the freeway in March 1968, at a cost of $3&nbsp;million<ref name="trafficstart"/> (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3000000|1968|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} That year, many gas station, motel, and restaurant owners noticed a drop in business, possibly due to concerns regarding construction traffic due to I-8; however, they hoped for increased business following completion of the freeway.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Yuma Motel People Know about Hwy.&nbsp;80 Traffic Drop |last = O'Neill, Don |date = August 18, 1968 |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |page = 3 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref> The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce made plans to promote tourism in the town following the completion of I-8 by late 1968.<ref>{{cite news |title = Yuma Chamber Plans To Gather Tourists from Interstate 8 Bypass |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = December 4, 1968 |page = 1 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref>

Bidding on the last portion of the freeway to be completed in Casa Grande, from Midway Road to I-10, was to begin in January 1969.<ref>{{cite news |title = Bids To Be Called For Final I-8 Link |work = Casa Grande Dispatch |date = January 20, 1969 |page = 1 |oclc = 16877473 }}</ref> By November, the freeway east of Yuma was under construction, at a cost of $3.7&nbsp;million<ref>{{Cite news |title = Yuma Construction Totals $12&nbsp;Million |date = November 23, 1969 |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |page = 5 |oclc = 11279925 }}</ref> (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3700000|1969|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars).{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} On June&nbsp;15, 1970, eastbound traffic began on I-8 in Casa Grande, with an exit at both Trekell and Thorton roads, with westbound traffic soon to follow.<ref name="trafficstart">{{Cite news |title = Traffic Starts Today on I-8 Eastbound Lane |date = June 15, 1970 |work = Casa Grande Dispatch |page = 1 |oclc = 16877473 }}</ref> Businesses did not notice much change with the opening of the eastbound lanes.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Businessmen Have Mixed Views on Opening of Interstate 8 |last = Kramer, Donovan Jr. |date = June 17, 1970 |work = Casa Grande Dispatch |page = 1 |oclc = 16877473 }}</ref> In 1971, I-8 was nearly complete, including a new alignment east of Yuma built parallel and to the south of the original US&nbsp;80 alignment. A new alignment was also built to the south of the SR&nbsp;84 alignment at the eastern end of the highway from southwest of Stanfield to the eastern terminus at I‑10 southeast of Casa Grande. The only portions of I-8 not completed at this time were the Gila Bend bypass and the western end near Yuma.<ref name="1971 map">{{cite map |url = http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1971-az.html |title = Road Map of Arizona |year = 1971 |publisher = Arizona Highway Department |author = Arizona Highway Department Photogrammetry and Mapping Division |location = Phoenix |access-date = May 4, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621235036/http://www.aaroads.com/west/maps/1971-az.html |archive-date = June 21, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> The portion east of 16th&nbsp;Street in Yuma was completed in June 1972;<ref>{{cite news |title = Interstate 8 Section Opens Wednesday at 10 |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = June 6, 1972 |page = 1 |oclc = 15337492 }}</ref> the Arizona State Highway Commission authorized the $1.6&nbsp;million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|1600000|1962|r=-6}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}} contract to construct the {{convert|6|mi|km|adj=on}} portion through Gila Bend in August.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Gila Bend I-8 Link Gets OK |date = August 26, 1972 |work = Tucson Daily Citizen |page = 6 |oclc = 15304868 }}</ref> Some Yuma businesses had noticed a decrease in revenue at this time; the Arizona Highway Department agreed to modify some signs to eliminate any confusion.<ref>{{cite news |title = 11 Major Sign Changes Promised on Interstate 8 |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = June 27, 1972 |author = Staff |page = 1 |oclc = 15337492 }}</ref> The part of I-8 between 16th and 4th&nbsp;streets was under construction in 1976, which was the only incomplete part of the freeway, along with the bridge over the Colorado River. The water treatment plant in Yuma was to be moved due to the potential of an accident with a vehicle carrying hazardous materials flying off the bridge and contaminating the water supply.<ref>{{cite news |title = I-8 Bridge and Water Works Are on Collision Course Here |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = October 2, 1970 |author = Battin, John |page = 1 |oclc = 15337492 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Downtown Busy With Construction |work = The Yuma Daily Sun |date = January 1, 1976 |author = Bush, Ernie |page = 14 |oclc = 15337492 }}</ref> The freeway in both states was completed with the opening of the bridge on September&nbsp;20, 1978.<ref name="finish"/>

As the Interstate was completed, the highways that it replaced were removed from the state highway system. In 1973, the SR&nbsp;84 designation was removed from the highway from Gila Bend to the split where I-8 followed a new alignment southwest of Stanfield.<ref>{{cite web |date = September 21, 1973 |publisher = Arizona Department of Transportation |access-date = May 4, 2008 |url = http://www.azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1973-%20-075 |title = Resolution 1973-20-075 |author = Arizona Department of Transportation |work = Right-of-Way Resolutions |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120316141609/http://www.azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1973-%20-075 |archive-date = March 16, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> In 1977, the US&nbsp;80 designation was removed from this stretch in favor of I-8.<ref>{{cite web |date = September 16, 1977 |publisher = Arizona Department of Transportation |access-date = May 4, 2008 |url = http://www.azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1977-16-A-048 |title = Resolution 1977-16-A-048 |author = Arizona Department of Transportation |work = Right-of-Way Resolutions |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110915101608/http://www.azhighwaydata.com/resolutions/?resnum=1977-16-A-048 |archive-date = September 15, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref>