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Mayor miffed by Council reaction
I-10 bypass proposals whittled down to four
Thelma Grimes
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
With four alternatives remaining out of a field of 15, the Arizona Department of Transportation's preliminary study of an Interstate 10 bypass from Phoenix to Willcox is nearing completion.
During a public meeting in Benson last Wednesday, Dale Buskirk, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) planning division, said preliminary study that has been conducted to assess the need and feasibility of a bypass would be presented to the transportation board this month.
At that time, Buskirk said what happens next depends on the board. They will have to decide whether to move forward with the project, or just take the information under advisement.
David French, of URS, the independent contractor hired to conduct the controversial study, said the public must remember that no matter what the board decides, nothing is going to happen in the near future.
"I don't think any construction can start for the next 20 to 30 years," he said. "Because one, you don't have the money for it, and second, there is not a need at this time. This is a multi-billion dollar project. There is no funding available today."
Besides a lack of funding, French said there are also plenty of other contributing factors to waiting. One of the main reasons is that ADOT's first priority is to expand I-10 to between six and eight lanes throughout the state.
However, French said as traffic counts continue to grow, an alternate route to I-10 will likely be needed. By the year 2050, the Arizona population is estimated to be between 13 and 16 million people and there will be extensive traffic congestion on the highway.
French said the ultimate need for the bypass is to relieve congestion in major cities like Tucson and Phoenix.
"Due to economic globalization, truck traffic is expected to increase faster than automobile traffic in metro areas," French said. "Growth in Pinal, Graham and Cochise counties needs a highway system. There is currently no alternative route to I-10 in southern Arizona."
However, residents such as those in the Cascabel Working Group, say rural communities should not suffer to fix big-city problems.
Many opponents to the bypass oppose it's passing through the San Pedro River Valley. Three of the four final routes being proposed run through the valley.
French said he is confident in the final four selections because they used specific criteria to select routes. The criteria is based on whether or not the proposed route runs through protected lands, will have minimal impact on urban development, can it be constructed through terrain, does not encroach on any Indian reservations and if the environmental impact is minimal.
French said one of the four has been challenged with the argument that it encroaches on an Indian reservation and wildlife. If that is the case it will be removed from the list.
Many of the 30 residents attending the public hearing said they can't understand how the state figures the other three options don't interfere with the wildlife and environment of the San Pedro Valley.
During the study process, French said not only did crews spend time in each of the areas in question, but they also interviewed 42 entities and organizations that might be impacted by the bypass. While most were in favor of the alternate route, some where not, he said.
Benson Mayor Mark Fenn said the city was never interviewed about the prospect. The city, along with the Cochise County Board of Supervisors is on record against the proposal, stating not only does it impact the environment, but by bypassing Benson, it could have a negative impact on the economy.
Tucson Vice Mayor Shirley Scott said she is not aware of any officials interviewing the Tucson council about the bypass. However, she noted she does understand the need to reduce traffic counts through the growing city.
Buskirk said he could not speculate how the board will vote on the study, and couldn't say exactly when the meeting would be held. He recommended residents log on to the state website to review the agendas for upcoming meetings.
The website address is http://tpd.azdot.gov/planning/i10bypass.php.
Thelma Grimes
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
With four alternatives remaining out of a field of 15, the Arizona Department of Transportation's preliminary study of an Interstate 10 bypass from Phoenix to Willcox is nearing completion.
During a public meeting in Benson last Wednesday, Dale Buskirk, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) planning division, said preliminary study that has been conducted to assess the need and feasibility of a bypass would be presented to the transportation board this month.
At that time, Buskirk said what happens next depends on the board. They will have to decide whether to move forward with the project, or just take the information under advisement.
David French, of URS, the independent contractor hired to conduct the controversial study, said the public must remember that no matter what the board decides, nothing is going to happen in the near future.
"I don't think any construction can start for the next 20 to 30 years," he said. "Because one, you don't have the money for it, and second, there is not a need at this time. This is a multi-billion dollar project. There is no funding available today."
Besides a lack of funding, French said there are also plenty of other contributing factors to waiting. One of the main reasons is that ADOT's first priority is to expand I-10 to between six and eight lanes throughout the state.
However, French said as traffic counts continue to grow, an alternate route to I-10 will likely be needed. By the year 2050, the Arizona population is estimated to be between 13 and 16 million people and there will be extensive traffic congestion on the highway.
French said the ultimate need for the bypass is to relieve congestion in major cities like Tucson and Phoenix.
"Due to economic globalization, truck traffic is expected to increase faster than automobile traffic in metro areas," French said. "Growth in Pinal, Graham and Cochise counties needs a highway system. There is currently no alternative route to I-10 in southern Arizona."
However, residents such as those in the Cascabel Working Group, say rural communities should not suffer to fix big-city problems.
Many opponents to the bypass oppose it's passing through the San Pedro River Valley. Three of the four final routes being proposed run through the valley.
French said he is confident in the final four selections because they used specific criteria to select routes. The criteria is based on whether or not the proposed route runs through protected lands, will have minimal impact on urban development, can it be constructed through terrain, does not encroach on any Indian reservations and if the environmental impact is minimal.
French said one of the four has been challenged with the argument that it encroaches on an Indian reservation and wildlife. If that is the case it will be removed from the list.
Many of the 30 residents attending the public hearing said they can't understand how the state figures the other three options don't interfere with the wildlife and environment of the San Pedro Valley.
During the study process, French said not only did crews spend time in each of the areas in question, but they also interviewed 42 entities and organizations that might be impacted by the bypass. While most were in favor of the alternate route, some where not, he said.
Benson Mayor Mark Fenn said the city was never interviewed about the prospect. The city, along with the Cochise County Board of Supervisors is on record against the proposal, stating not only does it impact the environment, but by bypassing Benson, it could have a negative impact on the economy.
Tucson Vice Mayor Shirley Scott said she is not aware of any officials interviewing the Tucson council about the bypass. However, she noted she does understand the need to reduce traffic counts through the growing city.
Buskirk said he could not speculate how the board will vote on the study, and couldn't say exactly when the meeting would be held. He recommended residents log on to the state website to review the agendas for upcoming meetings.
The website address is http://tpd.azdot.gov/planning/i10bypass.php.
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Linda Lee wrote on Dec 5, 2007 8:45 AM: