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Articles by John LaBarbera
SR 51 | Department of Transportation
June 25, 2026 | News/Press Release Closures set along sections of SR 51, Loop 101, Loop 202 and US 60 Several closures for freeway improvement projects are scheduled in the Phoenix area this weekend (June 26-29). A stretch of northbound State Route 51 between I-10 and Indian School Road and two separate sections of Loop 101 in the Scottsdale and Tempe areas will be closed. Learn more here.
The Windy City & beyond: lessons on the market with John LaBarbera and Matt Walsh
Anna Weiss [00.00.00] Everyone who's been part of Kennedys, whether you're with us now or have moved on, has helped shape the firm into what it is today. Whether your time here was brief or spanned many years, you remain an important part of our story. I'm Anna Weiss, global relationship development director at Kennedys, and this is the Kennedys Alumni Network podcast.
International arbitration update: New York Convention not reverse preempted by state law | JD Supra
In Certain Underwriters at Lloyds, London v. 3131 Veterans BLVD, LLC, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that Article II Section 3 of the New York Convention is self-executing and not reverse-preempted by Louisiana law. 2025 WL 1335829 (May 8, 2025). Certain surplus lines insurers at Lloyd’s London (“the Insurers”) issued insurance policies covering commercial properties that were damaged by Hurricane Ida. Id. at *2.
New York Department of Financial Services proposes insurance circular letter regarding use of artificial intelligence systems and external consumer data and information sources in insurance underwriting and pricing | Kennedys - JDSupra
On January 17, 2024, The New York Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) issued a proposed insurance circular letter regarding insurers’ use of external consumer data and information sources (“ECDIS”) and artificial intelligence systems (“AIS”) in underwriting and pricing.
ADOT shines in the Electric Light Parade
Since the late 1980s, the APS Electric Light Parade has lit up Central Phoenix every December with festive celebrations of holiday spirit. This year, though, marks the return of ADOT’s presence in the annual tradition. “I’ve been here since 1996, and to my knowledge that’s the last time ADOT was in the parade,” said Mesa Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Turner.
US 666: Revisiting the Devil's Highway
October is the perfect time of year to dive into our archives and delve into The Devil’s Highway, the former US 666, which traveled through several states in the Southwest, including Arizona. In Arizona, US 666 traveled from Douglas to US 66 in Sanders. That’s significant because US 666 got its name simply by being the sixth designated offshoot of Route 66. If you travel on this roadway today, you’re driving on US 191. But how did US 666 get its name and why did it change?
ADOT’s on Jeopardy!, baby
“Jeopardy!,” in its current iteration, has been on the air continuously since September 10, 1984. That includes close to 10,000 episodes spanning five decades. So it came as a surprise to us over here at ADOT that our state highways were referenced not once, but TWICE in a few months. The first instance occurred in July. The category was “Road.” The clue was: “In Phoenix, The Stack is the name for the interchange where I-17, going north-south, meets this east-west interstate.
2023’s Safety Message Contest: A look back
Year Seven of ADOT's Safety Message Contest is in the books! The challenge kicked off on July 19 with an appeal for engaging traffic safety messages that would be displayed on overhead message boards on Arizona’s highways. And once again, the residents of the Grand Canyon State came through with more than 3,000 entries to 2023's contest. Folks from all over the state submitted their best safety concepts. Some even had ideas overflowing and presented us with a handful of message ideas.
Southern District of New York reiterates high standard for arbitrator removal on bias grounds
Applications to disqualify arbitrators or vacate arbitration awards due to the alleged bias of a panel member made in United States courts are often met with significant resistance. Courts have long recognized that arbitrators, who are generally "knowledgeable individuals in a given field," often have "interests and relationships that overlap with the matter they are considering as arbitrators." Florasynth, Inc. v. Pickholz, 750 F.2d 171, 173 (2d Cir. 1984).
Southern District of New York reiterates high standard for arbitrator removal on bias grounds | JD Supra
Applications to disqualify arbitrators or vacate arbitration awards due to the alleged bias of a panel member made in United States courts are often met with significant resistance. Courts have long recognized that arbitrators, who are generally “knowledgeable individuals in a given field,” often have “interests and relationships that overlap with the matter they are considering as arbitrators.” Florasynth, Inc. v. Pickholz, 750 F.2d 171, 173 (2d Cir. 1984).
ADOT's Safety Message Contest is back for the 7th time
Home ADOT Blog ADOT's Safety Message Contest Is Back For The 7th Time ADOT's Safety Message Contest is back for the 7th time By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications It’s that time again, Arizona! ADOT’s Safety Message Contest is back for its seventh year and entries are open throughJuly 25. Have you ever wanted to see your traffic message on a Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) above the highway? Here’s your chance.
Highway History: Standin’ on a Corner…Where?
By Staff | on January 23, 2023 By John LaBarbera, ADOT Communications Article audio is made possible by CAST11 Prescott Podcast Network. A Talking Glass Media production. Arizona has a lot of Highway History but few are more famous that that infamous corner where we all just wanna take it easy. You know the corner, right?
Behind the Place Name: Prescott
Jerome, Clarkdale, Prescott. Just three of the unique place names in Arizona’s Verde Valley. But just how did these towns, along State routes 89 and 89A, get their names in the first place? We pondered this very question and set out on a fact-finding mission. This is the second in our series, and we venture to the largest city of the bunch, Prescott. With a population just shy of 43,000, Prescott is the county seat of Yavapai County and a bustling central Arizona destination.
Throwback Thursday: That unmistakable Curve
Today we throwback to 1966. It was a banner year for transportation in popular culture: Adam West’s Batman debuted, driving his Batmobile all over Gotham City, Star Trek began exploring strange new worlds at warp speed on NBC, and NASA launched Lunar Orbiter 1, the first U.S. craft to orbit the moon. Here in Arizona, construction of the cross-continental Interstate 10 was taking shape. And if you’ve been here long enough, you immediately know that this photo shows the Broadway Curve in Tempe.
Throwback Tuesday: Connecting the Valley, one freeway at a time
The summer of 1988 was, indeed, a memorable one. An historic heat wave had folks Sweatin’ to the Oldies in much of the country, the Summer Olympics in Seoul was the last to feature the Soviet Union and East Germany, coincidentally, the two nations with the most medals in the competition, and Roger Rabbit made his big screen debut in a cinematic masterstroke. Here in Arizona, the Valley was growing (when isn’t it?).
LaBarbera: Learn how picturesque Jerome, Arizona got its name
Guest Commentary by John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation In these modern times, we know Jerome for its kitschy vintage stores, colorful architecture and refreshing walkability. But long before its incorporation in 1899, it was already a hardscrabble mining village full of industrious men and women who made their living unearthing copper. Copper was noted in the area as far back as 1585 when Spanish Conquistadors were sent to the region to recover gold and silver.
LaBarbera: Learn how picturesque Jerome, Arizona got its name
Guest Commentary by John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation In these modern times, we know Jerome for its kitschy vintage stores, colorful architecture and refreshing walkability. But long before its incorporation in 1899, it was already a hardscrabble mining village full of industrious men and women who made their living unearthing copper. Copper was noted in the area as far back as 1585 when Spanish Conquistadors were sent to the region to recover gold and silver.
ADOT: Are you putting me on?
Today, we throwback to a time when seatbelts had just transitioned from vehicular novelty to safety necessity. These two men, possibly representatives of ADOT’s predecessor, the Arizona Highway Department, are presenting Arizona Governor Jack Williams with a sign that encourages motorists to wear their seatbelts. At the time, though, there were no laws on the books regarding the use of seatbelts.
Celebrate ADOT's birthday with a logo journey through time
July 1 is not only the beginning of a new month, one in which Arizona experiences its hottest average temperatures, but it’s also a very important day for us. Today is ADOT’s 48th Birthday! To celebrate, let us take a trip through the years and recount the agency’s history through our instantly-recognizable logos.
Throwback Thursday: Pool it!
Today’s Throwback Thursday entry takes us to the Phoenix Zoo with a message that resonates even today. Here we see a kangaroo, proudly presenting a sign encouraging the practice of carpooling. “Share the Ride!” implores the sign, which feature a happy mother kangaroo toting four delightful joeys in her pouch. The sign is punctuated at the bottom, telling motorists to “Pool it!” While we found this picture undated in our archives, our spidey-sense gives us an estimate of late ‘60s or early ‘70s.
Transportation throwback: A look at Interstate 17 in 1970
By John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation Cars can be seen zooming across the highway, crossing over Central Avenue. The overpass, Central Avenue Bridge, underwent a modernizing reconstruction project last year. Central Avenue is seen in this photo transporting motorists to and from downtown Phoenix and beyond, just as it ends at the cusp of the North Mountain Preserve in Sunnyslope. This snapshot from 1970 does not look all that different from today.
Transportation throwback: A look at Interstate 17 in 1970
By John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation Cars can be seen zooming across the highway, crossing over Central Avenue. The overpass, Central Avenue Bridge, underwent a modernizing reconstruction project last year. Central Avenue is seen in this photo transporting motorists to and from downtown Phoenix and beyond, just as it ends at the cusp of the North Mountain Preserve in Sunnyslope. This snapshot from 1970 does not look all that different from today.
A flowery blog for the merry month of May
You know the old saying: April showers bring May flowers. Well, most of Arizona didn’t get much in the way of showers this April, but since May is finally here, it naturally got us thinking about flowers…the only way we know how. Did you know that several Arizona highways can bring you into locales named for various types of flora? Let’s start with an easy one. State Route 87 passes through the community of Sunflower. You’ll find it about halfway between Payson and Mesa.
Throwback Thursday: Are you putting me on?
You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Throwback Thursday: Are you putting me on? By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Today we throwback to a time when seatbelts had just transitioned from vehicular novelty to safety necessity. These two men, possibly representatives of ADOT’s predecessor, the Arizona Highway Department, are presenting Arizona Governor Jack Williams with a sign that encourages motorists to wear their seatbelts.
Throwback Thursday: Are you putting me on?
Today we throwback to a time when seatbelts had just transitioned from vehicular novelty to safety necessity. These two men, possibly representatives of ADOT’s predecessor, the Arizona Highway Department, are presenting Arizona Governor Jack Williams with a sign that encourages motorists to wear their seatbelts. At the time, though, there were no laws on the books regarding the use of seatbelts.
Throwback Thursday: The very model of a modern major freeway
Today we throwback to the late 1960s when Johnny Carson was king and Phoenix had a population of about 800,000. Despite the fact that fair city was bubbling under one million people, the Valley was already expanding and the Arizona Highway Department (ADOT wasn't created until the mid-’70s) was looking toward the future. Here we see a model of the Superstition Freeway, also known as US 60. Back then, it was touted as State Route 360.
The Arizona Specialty Plate Quiz
Arizona's specialty license plates benefit all kinds of worthy organizations and charities. In fact, there are dozens of specialty plates to choose from at azmvdnow.gov. But how well do you know Arizona's specialty plates? Care to take a crack at our trivia quiz? Let's see if you can get 10/10! Good luck!
ADOT: Fulfilling worthy wishes with the help of Arizona license plates
By John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation In the spring of 1980, a group of six kindhearted people helped an 8-year-old boy with leukemia realize his wish of becoming a police officer. That boy was Chris Greicius and, for one day, he became a state trooper for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Chris joined troopers on highway patrols and in the sky in a helicopter, all while wearing his very own uniform.
ADOT: Fulfilling worthy wishes with the help of Arizona license plates
By John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation In the spring of 1980, a group of six kindhearted people helped an 8-year-old boy with leukemia realize his wish of becoming a police officer. That boy was Chris Greicius and, for one day, he became a state trooper for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Chris joined troopers on highway patrols and in the sky in a helicopter, all while wearing his very own uniform.
ADOT: Fulfilling worthy wishes with the help of Arizona license plates
By John LaBarbera, Arizona Department of Transportation In the spring of 1980, a group of six kindhearted people helped an 8-year-old boy with leukemia realize his wish of becoming a police officer. That boy was Chris Greicius and, for one day, he became a state trooper for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Chris joined troopers on highway patrols and in the sky in a helicopter, all while wearing his very own uniform.
Another ADOT acronym: RWIS
We’ve all heard the classic adage: “You can’t be in two places at once.” While that’s certainly true on a metaphysical level, ADOT can subvert the old axiom through our virtual RWIS system. RWIS, shorthand for Road Weather Information System, is an added tool ADOT crews use to gather real-time information about and make decisions concerning adverse weather events.
Going back to the 80s with Arizona Highways magazine
You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Going back to the 80s with Arizona Highways magazine By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Precisely 42 years ago, in January 1980, the Steelers defeated the Rams to win Super Bowl XIV, Frank Sinatra performed in front of his largest crowd ever of 140,000 concert-goers in Rio de Janeiro and the Rubik’s Cube debuted in London at the British Toy and Hobby fair.
Santa Claus in Arizona has seen better days
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Throwback Thursday: Suns' Gorilla gets a driver license
Arizona Department of Transportation You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Throwback Thursday: Suns' Gorilla gets a driver license By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Last year’s NBA Western Conference champions are delightfully continuing their winning ways in the 2021-22 season.
Ask ADOT: Why are highway signs green?
Most weeks in our hectic world, there’s just no time to contemplate everything that surrounds us. But there are times when a question will spontaneously pop into our brains, right between the grocery list and the cheapest gas station. You see them every day, more likely multiple times a day. So, why are highway signs green? Need to know where to exit? Look for the green sign. Need to know how many miles to your destination? Look for the green sign. Want to know what highway you’re on?
A piping hot playlist for your summer road trip
There's no doubt about it. Our triple digit temperatures can only mean one thing: It must be summer! And while we may be headed for the inevitable dog days, there's still time to squeeze in one final summer road trip. The first thing you should do before you embark on any adventure, is check to make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
Throwback Thursday: One signal at a time!
You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Throwback Thursday: One signal at a time! By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Today’s Throwback Thursday photo comes to us from the era of shag carpeting and Led Zeppelin. In the early 1970s, ADOT crews were blasting their way through the Virgin River Gorge to complete Interstate 15 in the northwestern corner of our state. The photo in question implores those standing by to turn off their 2-way radios. And if you look closely in the background, you’ll see why.
Road Trip Recipes: Salt River Pretzel Bites
You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Road Trip Recipes: Salt River Pretzel Bites By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Greetings, hungry travelers! The holidays are but a memory and wintertime has settled in once again. Good portions of our state will experience snow and frigid temperatures for the foreseeable future. Heck, even the low 40s that folks see in Phoenix and Tucson this time of year can be downright bone-chilling for desert dwellers.
Road Trip Recipes: Salt River Pretzel Bites
Greetings, hungry travelers! The holidays are but a memory and wintertime has settled in once again. Good portions of our state will experience snow and frigid temperatures for the foreseeable future. Heck, even the low 40s that folks see in Phoenix and Tucson this time of year can be downright bone-chilling for desert dwellers. So how about staying inside and whipping up something warm and scrumptious to enjoy while wrapped up in a cozy blanket on your favorite couch and/or futon?
Ho-ho-holiday spectacle once conspicuous on US 93
US 93 enters Arizona at the Nevada state line via the Hoover Dam. It travels south for a good 200 miles before it meets its end at US 60 in Wickenburg. Along the way it passes through some curiously named towns such as Chloride, Grasshopper Junction and Nothing. There is one place, though, that once lived up to its jolly moniker. And that is Santa Claus.
Road Trip Recipes: Red Mountain Turkey Chili
Arizona Department of Transportation You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Road Trip Recipes: Red Mountain Turkey Chili By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Greetings hungry travelers! So, Thanksgiving day has come and gone but you’ve still got half a turkey hogging space in your fridge. What to do? How about a warm chili?
Road Trip Recipes: Red Mountain Turkey Chili
Greetings hungry travelers! So, Thanksgiving day has come and gone but you’ve still got half a turkey hogging space in your fridge. What to do? How about a warm chili? Get rid of your leftover turkey the tasty way and add a heaping helping of nutritious beans and veggies to boot with our Red Mountain Turkey Chili! Eagle-eyed readers may recognize that name as one the Valley’s many freeways. And they’d be right. The Red Mountain Freeway is the northern leg of the Valley’s Loop 202.
Road Trip Recipes: Spicy Interstate 8 Layer Dessert Dip
Arizona Department of Transportation You are here Home»ADOT Blog»Road Trip Recipes: Spicy Interstate 8 Layer Dessert Dip By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Thanksgiving is upon us, so we here at the ADOT blog thought it would be fun to flood your feed with some scrumptious recipes. If a Turkey Day road trip is on your horizon, how about celebrating your safe arrival by making a delightful dip named after one of Arizona’s six interstate highways? Let us present Spicy I-8 Layer Dessert Dip.
Kilometers in Arizona? You bet!
Interstate 19 runs between Tucson and Nogales in the southeastern part of our state. If you don’t travel that important trade corridor often, you may not know about its unique place in Arizona’s, nay America’s, pantheon of interesting roadways. First opened for travel in 1962 (and fully completed in 1978), Interstate 19 is the only highway in the United States to be fully marked by kilometers.
Kilometers in Arizona? You bet!
Kilometers in Arizona? You bet! By John LaBarbera / ADOT Communications Interstate 19 runs between Tucson and Nogales in the southeastern part of our state. If you don’t travel that important trade corridor often, you may not know about its unique place in Arizona’s, nay America’s, pantheon of interesting roadways. First opened for travel in 1962 (and fully completed in 1978), Interstate 19 is the only highway in the United States to be fully marked by kilometers.
Two Guns' sordid history off I-40
Along Interstate 40, nestled between Flagstaff and Winslow, is the ghost town of Two Guns. As you drive by, you may see the remnants of an old gas station, now nothing more than a repository of graffiti after a 1971 fire nearly burned it to the ground. But there’s more to this curiously named town than a former pit stop. Not too far away is the Apache Death Cave. We learned more about the history of this grisly-sounding spot from the writings of authors like Gladwell Richardson.
Turning back the pages on Carefree Highway's top 10 hit
Hey, real quick, can you name a song or two that talks about or mentions Arizona? I’ll give you a good 10 seconds. OK. How’d you do? Songs by The Eagles, Glen Campbell, The Steve Miller Band, The Beatles, and quite possibly the entire Gin Blossoms catalog came to mind. There’s one song, though, that doesn’t just give a passing acknowledgement of our great state. And that tune is “Carefree Highway” by Canadian folk virtuoso Gordon Lightfoot.
Throwback Thursday: Hollywood magic at Mule Pass Tunnel
Most folks of a certain age remember the 1981 summer blockbuster "The Cannonball Run," a comedy featuring an all-star cast of oddballs participating in a cross-country race from Connecticut to California.
Highway History: Standin’ on a corner… where?
In 1972, the Eagles made a Route 66 stop in Arizona nationally famous with the No. 12 (No. 8 in Canada!) hit “Take it Easy.” I think we all know the line I’m talking about, and we’ve all heard the lyric so many times that I probably don’t even need to write it out for you here. But I will: Now I'm standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, With such a fine sight to see It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, Slowin' down to have a look at me You sang along, didn’t you?
Highway History: Standin’ on a corner… where?
In 1972, the Eagles made a Route 66 stop in Arizona nationally famous with the No. 12 (No. 8 in Canada!) hit “Take it Easy.” I think we all know the line I’m talking about, and we’ve all heard the lyric so many times that I probably don’t even need to write it out for you here. But I will: Now I'm standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, With such a fine sight to see It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, Slowin' down to have a look at me You sang along, didn’t you?
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