The Arizona Department of Transportation, in conjunction with Santa Cruz County and the Federal Highway Administration, is studying traffic flow at both the Interstate 19 and Ruby Road traffic interchange and along the I-19 east frontage road from Ruby Road to Rio Rico Drive. The study purpose is to enhance safety, improve traffic flow and meet current and future traffic needs in this area.

The east frontage road provides sole access to a warehouse district that is used by commercial trucks transporting goods along US-Mexico trade routes. The east frontage road features two-way traffic (northbound and southbound) from Ruby Road to Kipper Street and one-way traffic (northbound only) from Kipper Street to Rio Rico Drive (0.8 mile segment). Based on the current traffic configuration, all traffic entering the warehouse district must use the Ruby Road traffic interchange, while traffic exiting the warehouse district may use either the Ruby Road or Rio Rico Drive traffic interchanges. There is also residential traffic and school buses in the area, which travel between the east and west sides of I-19.

During peak periods, traffic demand exceeds the capacity of the Ruby Road traffic interchange and causes high levels of congestion in the area. Vehicles queue on Ruby Road and the I-19 off-ramps waiting to clear traffic signals on Ruby Road at the east frontage road and I-19 off-ramps.

The study will evaluate existing peak-hour traffic operations and prepare recommendations for potential capacity, access, and safety improvements that accommodate forecasted growth through the year 2040. Please subscribe to receive information about the study and be notified about upcoming public meetings.