PHOENIX – Additional information that is part of the draft environmental document for the proposed Interstate 11 corridor, stretching from Nogales to Wickenburg, has been released. To provide sufficient time for community review of the entire draft environmental impact statement, the public comment period has been extended to July 8, providing a full 90 days of review from the draft’s initial release.

The additional information, called the errata, for the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed I-11 corridor, was made available on April 26. This additional information, as well as the entire Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, can be found online at i11study.com/Arizona and at all locations where copies of the environmental document are available for review or purchase.

As a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, I-11 is a concept far from construction. No funding has been identified or proposed to move to Tier 2 studies on any segments of the corridor. Those Tier 2 studies would identify specific alignments for a roadway, within a selected build corridor alternative. In all, the Recommended Corridor Alternative identified in the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is 2,000 feet wide. Specific alignments, as would be identified in Tier 2 studies, would be about 400 feet wide.

Prepared by the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration over the course of three years, the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement describes the study process, completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It proposes a Recommended Corridor Alternative, with analysis of other alternatives and a no-build option.

Kicking off next week is a series of six public hearings on the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the 280-mile proposed I-11 corridor. Meetings will be held in Buckeye, Wickenburg, Casa Grande, Nogales, Tucson and Marana. Each meeting provides the same forum for learning about the project and providing formal comments, which will be used by the study team to guide development of the Final Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement.

There are several ways to submit comments on the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, including online, in person at a public hearing, and by email, U.S. postal mail and a bilingual telephone hotline. Hearings will be held:

Monday, April 29: 5 to 8 p.m., Palo Verde Energy Education Center, 600 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye

Tuesday, April 30: 4 to 7 p.m., Wickenburg Community Center, 160 N. Valentine St., Wickenburg

Wednesday, May 1: 5 to 8 p.m., Holiday Inn, 777 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande

Tuesday, May 7: 4 to 7 p.m., Quality Hotel Americana, 639 N. Grand Ave., Nogales

Wednesday, May 8: 3 to 8 p.m., Tucson Convention Center Ballrooms/Lobby, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson

Saturday, May 11: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Marana High School Cafeteria, 12000 W. Emigh Road, Marana

In addition to providing verbal or written comments at a public hearing, members of the community can submit comments or questions through July 8 using the following methods:

Online: i11study.com/Arizona

Email: [email protected]

Bilingual Phone: 1.844.544.8049

Mail: I-11 Tier 1 EIS Study Team, c/o ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

In 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or FAST Act, formally designated I-11 in Arizona. The designation doesn’t include funding but identifies I-11 as a high-priority corridor eligible for federal funding.

For more information about I-11 and the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, visit i11study.com/Arizona.

PHOENIX ‒ A report describing how the Arizona Department of Transportation reduced the potential routes for the proposed Sonoran Corridor from dozens of options to three recommended for further study, along with the no-build alternative, is now available for review and comment.

The Sonoran Corridor Draft Corridor Selection Report explains how factors such as growth, economic benefits, environmental impacts and feasibility contributed to identifying these alternatives in the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement.

Public comment on the report is invited through Monday, April 22. Public comment on a public meeting held March 7 in Tucson is invited through Sunday, April 7.

The Sonoran Corridor would connect Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport. The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, which started in May 2017, evaluates multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridors and the no-build option. A Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in late 2019 with a preferred alternative for public review. A Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected by spring 2020.

The next phase would include a Tier 2 study to locate an approximately 400-foot-wide route within corridor identified as the preferred alternative. The timeline and funding for the Tier 2 study haven’t been identified.

ADOT has held four public meetings about the Sonoran Corridor over the past two years. Comments received at those meetings are included in the draft Corridor Selection Report and are being considered along with input from area businesses and governments, including Pima County and the cities of Tucson and Sahuarita.

To see the draft reports, visit azdot.gov/Sonoran Corridor. Click on the Documents tab to see the draft Corridor Selection Report, and click on the Alternatives tab to see a map of the three corridors that have been recommended for further study. A no-build option also remains under consideration.

The public can submit questions or comments in the following ways:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone:  The ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line: 855.712.8530 
• Mail:  Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to present final design plans for an upcoming project that will improve traffic flow on US 93 between SR 89 and Tegner Street in Wickenburg.

The public meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Wickenburg Community Center on 160 N. Valentine St., will present project information and give the public opportunities to provide comments.

The project includes widening US 93 to two lanes in each direction, constructing raised center medians and constructing frontage roads and roundabouts at Rincon, Cope, Vulture Mine and Scenic Loop roads, and at State Route 89.

Construction is currently scheduled for fiscal year 2020.

Residents, business owners and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting, learn more about the project and submit comments. Representatives from the ADOT study team will be available to answer questions.

If you cannot attend the meeting, there are other ways to submit comments:

• Phone: 855.712.8530
• Online: Visit azdot.gov/contact and select Projects from the drop-down menu
• Mail written comments or questions to:
  ADOT Communications
  1109 Commerce Drive
  Prescott, AZ 86301
  Attn: Deborrah Miller

All comments must be received by April 5 to be included in the public record.

For more information on this and other US 93 projects, visit azdot.gov/US93corridor.

PHOENIX – Six months after southern Arizona residents gave their opinions on possible routes for the Sonoran Corridor proposed in the Tucson area, they will have the chance March 7 to learn about routes that have been recommended for further study.

At a public meeting, the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will share the results of an evaluation of 10 alternatives that were presented to the community in September.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the DoubleTree Suites Tucson Airport, 7051 S. Tucson Blvd. A presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

The meeting is part of a public involvement process that allows the community to ask questions and offer comments about potential locations for the proposed corridor as well as environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat and cultural resources.

The Sonoran Corridor would connect Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport. It has been designated as a high-priority corridor under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. There is no timeline for building a freeway in the corridor.

A new freeway in that area would support the economy of southern Arizona and the state. It also would reduce travel distances south of Tucson and relieve congestion at the current interchange of I-10 and I-19 southwest of downtown Tucson.

In the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study, officials are identifying and studying a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities and constraints of each. The study considers the potential social, economic and natural environment impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of not building a freeway in this area. The study, which began in 2017, is expected to be completed in 2020.

The study is evaluating multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridor alternatives, including a no-build alternative and multiple build alternatives, to determine a recommendation that is based on technical analysis and other factors, including public input.

A future Tier 2 environmental study would advance the Tier 1 recommendations to identify the specific project alignment, effects and mitigation. There is no timeline or funding identified for the Tier 2 study.

For more information about this study, please visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

Public comment also is welcome through April 7 in several ways:
     * Email: [email protected]
     * Toll-free bilingual information line: 855.712.8530
     * Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team
        c/o Joanna Bradley
        1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100
        Tucson, AZ 85713

PHOENIX – The regional transportation plan study process for the White Mountains area, administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation, continues with a public meeting to present study findings Thursday, Feb. 7, in Show Low.

Those attending the meeting, to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Show Low City Hall, 180 N. Ninth Street, can review and comment on potential transportation improvement projects identified in the region. Public input will inform selection of projects that will be documented in the study’s final report.

ADOT is administering the transportation study for southern Navajo and Apache counties that will evaluate the current transportation infrastructure in the region and make project recommendations over the next 20 years. These projects may involve roads, bike lanes, transit routes, pedestrian trails or anything that would improve residents and visitor’s mobility within the region.

The public can also view and provide comments on the Southern Navajo and Apache County Work Plan by visiting the project webpage at azdot.com/SNAC. Click the “comment form” link to provide feedback.

The southern Navajo and Apache County region began this regional transportation plan update due to population growth and economic development that are placing a burden on the existing infrastructure. 

The study region includes Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and unincorporated areas of southern Navajo and Apache counties, including the communities of Concho and Vernon.

Visit azdot.gov/SNAC for more information on the study.

PHOENIX – Members of the public have until Friday, Oct. 26, to share comments, suggestions and recommendations about proposed alternatives for the Sonoran Corridor, which would connect Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport.

About 100 people attended a Sept. 26 Arizona Department of Transportation public meeting in Tucson to hear a presentation about the proposed corridor alternatives and submit comments. The presentation and display boards from the meeting are available at azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor under the “Public Meetings” tab.

Comment are welcome via:

• Email: [email protected]
• Toll-free bilingual information line: 855.712.8530
• Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team, c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

Comments must be received by Friday, Oct. 26, to be included in the record.

The proposed Sonoran Corridor has been designated as a high-priority corridor under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. There is no timeline for building a roadway in the corridor.

ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration are developing a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement identifying and studying a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities and constraints of each. This study considers the potential social, economic and natural environment impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of not building a freeway in this area. The study, which began in 2017, is expected to be completed in 2020.

Public involvement is an important part of the process that allows the community to ask questions and share comments and concerns about potential locations for the proposed corridor as well as environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat and cultural resources, and other modes of transportation that may be considered.

This is the second period for public comment about the Sonoran Corridor. There was a public meeting and comment period in June 2017.

For more information about this study, please visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

TUCSON – As Arizona Department of Transportation officials continue an environmental study to narrow the potential future route for the Sonoran Corridor, they want to hear what Pima County residents think of the idea.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a public information meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, to hear public comments and suggestions for the Sonoran Corridor. The meeting will be held at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Highway in Tucson. A presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

The meeting is part of the public involvement process that allows the community the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments and concerns about potential locations for the proposed corridor as well as environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat and cultural resources, and other modes of transportation that may be considered.

The Sonoran Corridor would connect Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport. It has been designated as a high-priority corridor under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. There is no timeline for building a roadway in the corridor.

A new freeway in that area would support the economy of southern Arizona and the state. It also would reduce travel distances south of Tucson and relieve congestion at the current interchange of I-10 and I-19 southwest of downtown Tucson.

In the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study, officials are identifying and studying a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities and constraints of each. The study considers the potential social, economic and natural environment impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of not building a freeway in this area.  The study, which began in 2017, is expected to be completed in 2020.

The study is evaluating multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridor alternatives that would connect I-19 and I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport.  The study will evaluate a no-build alternative and multiple build alternatives to determine a recommendation that is based on technical analysis and other factors, including public input.

A future Tier 2 environmental study would advance the Tier 1 recommendations to identify the specific project alignment, effects and mitigation. There is no timeline or funding identified for the Tier 2 study.

For more information about this study, please visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

Public comment also is welcome through Oct. 26 in several ways:

• Email: [email protected]
• Toll-free bilingual information line: 855.712.8530
• Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team, c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

The Sept. 26 meeting is a follow-up to public meetings held in Tucson and Sahuarita in June 2017.

TUCSON – Nearly halfway through a three-year environmental study, state and federal transportation officials want your input on a proposed Sonoran Corridor connecting Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold a public information meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, to hear public comments and suggestions for the Sonoran Corridor. The meeting will be held at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Highway in Tucson. A presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

The Sonoran Corridor has been designated as a high-priority corridor under the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. It would support and connect the economy of southern Arizona and the entire state. It also would reduce travel distances south of Tucson and relieve congestion at the current interchange of I-10 and I-19 southwest of downtown Tucson.

State and federal officials are identifying and studying a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities and constraints of each. The study considers the potential social, economic and natural environment impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of not building a freeway in this area.

The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study is a three-year process developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Expected to be completed in 2020, the Tier 1 study is evaluating multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridor alternatives that would connect I-19 and I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport.  The study will evaluate a no-build alternative and multiple build alternatives to determine a recommendation that is based on technical analysis and other factors, including public input.

A future Tier 2 environmental study would advance the Tier 1 recommendations to identify the specific project alignment, effects and mitigation. There is no timeline or funding identified for the Tier 2 study.

For more information about this study, please visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.

The meetings are part of the public involvement process that allows the community the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments and concerns about potential locations for the proposed corridor as well as environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat and cultural resources, and other modes of transportation that may be considered.

Public comment also is welcome through Oct. 26 in several ways:

• Email: [email protected]
• Toll-free bilingual information line: 855.712.8530
• Mail: Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team, c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

The Sept. 26 meeting is a follow-up to public meetings held in Tucson and Sahuarita in June 2017.

PHOENIX – As part of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s focus on multimodal long-range planning, the department is updating its State Rail Plan to better determine rail improvements across the state, based on future needs and opportunities.

ADOT is looking to the public and stakeholders to provide their input about what the State Rail Plan should include for both freight and passenger rail systems. A survey in both English and Spanish is available at azdot.gov/staterailplan. Comments are requested by August 10, 2018.

The rail plan update will provide guidance for the existing rail systems and services used by Arizona’s freight shippers and the public. It will also provide an assessment of the statewide rail system, offering recommendations for policies, programs, processes and projects that will improve rail-related safety and service. The plan will consist of five major elements:

• Describing the role of rail transportation in the state.
• Profiling the state’s railroad assets and traffic, along with identifying markets, logistics, and economic and demographic trends that will have an impact on rail transportation needs.
• Determining freight rail needs and improvements.
• Determining passenger rail needs and improvements.
• Development of a rail service plan.

The State Rail Plan update will rely heavily on input from the state’s rail transportation stakeholders and the public. Several stakeholder workshops were held last year throughout Arizona to meet with those involved in the rail industry and to obtain input about the challenges and opportunities for Arizona’s rail network. The feedback gathered from these meetings will be included in the updated State Rail Plan, which is expected to be completed in late 2018.

The State Rail Plan is updated every four years, as required by the Federal Railroad Administration. For more information about the plan, please visit azdot.gov/staterailplan.

PHOENIX – An open house Wednesday, May 30, in Laveen will allow attendees to view renderings and provide feedback on an Ivanhoe Street traffic interchange the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

ADOT and project representatives will be available from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Laveen Elementary School District Office, Building A, 5001 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix.

While there will be no formal presentation, attendees will be able to speak individually with project staff about the Ivanhoe Street interchange environmental study, which began in February. They also can complete a questionnaire.

In addition, representatives of Connect 202 Partners, the developer building the freeway, will be available to answer construction-related questions on Center segment construction occurring between 51st Avenue and 32nd Lane.

For those unable to attend, there are still plenty of ways to provide feedback through July 19, including: 

• Online: SouthMountainFreeway.com (click on the Ivanhoe Street questionnaire)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1.833.310.2470
• Mail: c/o ADOT Communications, 101 N. First Ave., St. 1950, Phoenix, AZ 85003-19234

The latest project information is available via the project website at SouthMountainFreeway.com, email and text updates (click “Subscribe for Updates” on the project website), and the project hotline numbers (1.855.763.5202, or para Español, 623.239.4558). 

The 22-mile freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.

For more information, visit SouthMountainFreeway.com.