ADOT Kicks Off Statewide Listening Tour at Quartzsite's Western Days Event

Arizona Department of Transportation staff arrived at Buck Connors Western Days in Quartzsite today, opening the public phase of Next Move Arizona, the agency's statewide listening tour aimed at building a unified transportation vision for the state.

The Quartzsite pop-ups, running Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, mark the first community-facing events in a campaign that ADOT Director Jennifer Toth says is fundamentally about closing gaps in the state's transportation planning. "By coming together and hearing everyone's unique perspectives, we can create a shared vision that gets us where we want to go," Toth said. "We know not all needs are being met, so we're asking: 'What's needed? Where can we improve, and where should we aim?'"

ADOT has been laying groundwork for Next Move Arizona since October, when agency personnel began meeting with leaders and stakeholders across Arizona. The Buck Connors Western Days appearance shifts that effort into a public gear, with ADOT staff available to discuss transportation challenges and unmet needs directly with residents and visitors at the event.

The agency frames a statewide vision as essential to avoid what it calls "disjointed or disconnected plans" and to "work toward efficiencies in funding, connectivity and a complete transportation system." The goal, according to ADOT, is a transportation network that safely connects communities while supporting economic growth across the state.

The tour will continue through next fall, with the next confirmed public stop at the Tucson Folk Festival on April 11. A full schedule of pop-up and virtual community events is available at NextMoveAZ.com, where residents can also take an online survey to submit transportation priorities and concerns. Questions can be directed to NextMoveAZ@azdot.gov.