SR 189: Interim Improvements

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration, has completed improvements to approximately one-half mile of State Route 189 to accommodate the expected increased traffic associated with the expansion currently under way at the Mariposa Land Port of Entry. These improvements are expected to alleviate traffic congestion at Freeport Drive and improve safety and traffic flow in the area. Construction began in October 2011. The improvements were completed in summer 2012. The $3.5 million roadway improvements were funded by FHWA Coordinated Border Infrastructure funds.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE:

• A portion of SR 189 immediately adjacent to the Mariposa Land Port of Entry was realigned and widened to coincide with Port improvements.
• Southbound inspection booths were relocated south of the crosswalk.
• Passenger vehicles and buses will exit the Port using two lanes instead of the single lane which was previously only available to motorists.
• An access road located on the east side of SR 189 is now the main entrance to the Port for visitors, employees and other non-commercial Port traffic.
• Commercial trucks now may exit the Customs and Border Protection and ADOT inspection booths by making a right turn onto a dedicated lane that will make it easier and safer to merge onto SR 189.
• State Port Drive has been realigned 40 feet north of its current location.
• A new northbound merging lane has been added to SR 189.
• A traffic-signal controlled access road has been added along the west side of SR 189 that has relocated access to Freeport Drive further north from its previous location.

Pedestrian Access Improvements:

• As part of the State Route 189 construction project, along with roadway improvements, a special $541,000 pedestrian access project was added to the overall project in Spring 2012 to address the needs of pedestrians. To enhance the pedestrian safety, three crosswalks were added at locations near the Mariposa Port of Entry.
• Additionally, as part of the project, a pick-up and drop-off location (a vehicle waiting area) has been built south of the gas station (located on the east side of SR 189), which is just north of State Port Drive. The new sidewalk connects the port with the vehicle waiting area.
• An SR 189 Study, which began early this year, will propose an ultimate connector route and roadway improvements and will include the proposal of multimodal features that address pedestrian and bicyclist needs.