ADOT seeks public input on Sonoran Corridor in Pima County

TUCSON – The Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public input as it begins an engineering and environmental study of the Sonoran Corridor, a proposed freeway in the Tucson region that would connect Interstates 19 and 10, south of Tucson International Airport.

ADOT has formally initiated a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sonoran Corridor. The Notice of Intent to prepare a Tier 2 EIS is currently available on the study website at azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

The study will evaluate potential build alternatives for the Sonoran Corridor alignment, interchange locations and other features, as well as a no-build – or do nothing – alternative. The study will ultimately identify a selected alternative based on public, agency and tribal government input and technical analyses.

During the current study phase, ADOT is seeking public input on the project’s preliminary purpose and need, preliminary range of alternatives for the freeway alignment and other considerations to be evaluated in the study. ADOT will hold public meetings in June to provide an overview of the study and seek input on a preliminary range of alternatives for the highway alignment and the project’s purpose and need. The public comment period lasts through July 18.

Two public meetings are scheduled:

• An in-person meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, at Sahuarita Unified School District Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita. A presentation will begin at 6 p.m.
• A virtual public meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. Visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor for virtual meeting sign-in details.

The same information will be presented at each meeting. Meeting presentations and materials will be posted to the study website for those unable to attend.

The corridor, also known as State Route 410, is under study to: improve vehicle mobility and the transportation system, improve access to existing and future activity centers, reduce persistent traffic backups and road congestion, address existing and future high-growth areas, improve and shorten east-west freight movement to and from Mexico and southern Arizona, add a faster connection to Tucson International Airport and shorten east-west freight movement between southern Arizona and Mexico.

Ultimately the study will:

• Refine the purpose and need of the proposed project
• Develop and evaluate a range of 400-foot-wide freeway alignment alternatives within the 2,000-foot corridor, including a “no-build” alternative
• Evaluate environmental considerations and proposed mitigation
• Develop design concepts and features, such as interchange locations and bridges
• Provide opportunities for public and stakeholder input throughout the process
• Select a preferred freeway alternative, which would include the alignment, interchange locations and other design features

Comments may be submitted in any of the following ways through July 18:

• Take the online survey: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/SonoranCorridor
• Call the Bilingual Project Information Line: 855.712.8530
• Email the project team: [email protected]
• Attend one of the public meetings
• Mail to:
  • ADOT Sonoran Corridor Study Team
  • c/o Gordley Group
  • 2540 N Tucson Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716