State Route 87 Corridor Development Study

State Route 87 Corridor Development Study

A study is currently underway in Maricopa and Gila counties to evaluate the need and feasibility of potential improvements to a 59-mile segment of State Route 87 (SR 87), located in the central part of the state.

The SR 87 Corridor Development Study (SR 87 CDS) will advance the recommendations identified in an earlier study (SR 87/SR 260/SR 377 Corridor Profile Study, March 2017) by providing more detailed analysis and additional information on the proposed improvements identified in the 2017 study. Proposed improvements include climbing and passing lanes, shoulder improvements, rock fall mitigation and traveler information systems.

The SR 87 CDS area extends nearly 60 miles on SR 87, from Fort McDowell Road (milepost 191) to Green Valley Parkway (milepost 250). The town of Fountain Hills is south of the study area, while the town of Payson is north of the study area. Portions of the corridor are adjacent to the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation and the Tonto Apache Off-Reservation Trust Land.

This portion of the SR 87 corridor provides a key link between the Phoenix metropolitan area and the northeastern part of the state and serves intrastate, interstate and international commerce. The corridor connects Mesa, Fountain Hills and Payson as well as the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and Fort McDowell-Yavapai tribes.

No funding has been identified to implement any of the improvements. The Corridor Development Study helps ADOT to identify and prioritize needs, so that funding can be considered and prioritized against needs statewide.

Study Area Map

State Route 87 Corridor Development Study map

 

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact ADOT’s Civil Rights Office at [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the accommodation.

De acuerdo con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA por sus siglas en inglés) y otras normas y leyes antidiscriminatorias, el Departamento de Transporte de Arizona (ADOT) no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad. Las personas que requieran asistencia (dentro de lo razonable) ya sea por el idioma o discapacidad deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina de Derechos Civiles de ADOT en [email protected]. Las solicitudes deben hacerse lo más antes posible para asegurar que el Estado tenga la oportunidad de hacer los arreglos necesarios.

Public Involvement/Outreach

Beginning of study

Due to the diverse nature of SR 87 users (commuters, travelers, tourists and a small number of residents who live in unincorporated areas near the corridor), coupled with the rural characteristics of the study area, a traditional public meeting would not yield effective public input.

As a result, public involvement for the study will be broadened by soliciting input from diverse stakeholder groups. These stakeholder groups will include government representatives, emergency service providers, and resource agencies. In-person, telephone and/or web-based meetings with stakeholders will be conducted at the beginning of the study.

The purpose of the stakeholder outreach is to solicit feedback on the initial projects identified in the March 2017 corridor study, as well as to seek input on corridor needs and other potential solutions.

Near conclusion of study

Initial stakeholder group feedback (described above) on corridor needs and issues, coupled with the technical review of data and information by project team, will provide input into the identification and development of solution alternatives.

Public input will then be solicited on solution alternatives during this “Alternative Evaluation Phase.” This input will be obtained via electronic means – posting documents to ADOT website, and soliciting input via an online study questionnaire. Public notification will be done through broader means, such as utilizing ADOT’s media channels (website, social media and news releases), contacting stakeholders and local agencies in and around the study area and other methods identified in consultation with ADOT.

Study Process

SR 87 CDS recommendations will be developed for consideration and advancement to ADOT’s Strategic Corridor Program. The process that will be used and the documents that will be created to develop the study recommendations, include:

  • Traffic Analysis Report will analyze traffic operations and safety of potential alternatives, which include climbing lanes, variable speed limits and a corridor travel information system.
  • Environmental Overview (EO) will identify weaknesses and constraints for consideration in the future evaluation of alternatives and the design of improvements. The EO will identify information needed to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.
  • Feasibility Report will summarize the Traffic Analysis, EO, Initial Scoping and Public Involvement Summary reports, and include an implementation plan for use in potential future programming.

The Feasibility Report will also contain conceptual-level drawings and exhibits and cost estimates for implementation.

Scope of Work

Technical Advisory Committee

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been established to provide guidance and direction to the project team throughout the study and during the development of the Feasibility Report. The TAC is comprised of representatives from various ADOT departments (communications, project management, technical, transportation management and operations, etc.).

 

Documents