Following several years of study, technical analysis and input from communities and stakeholders, the Arizona Department of Transportation has selected a final 20.47 mile corridor through Pima County. The Final Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD), which was released Friday, Nov. 5, identifies the selected corridor, which stretches between Interstates 19 and 10, south of the Tucson International Airport in Pima County. 

A continuous, access-controlled transportation corridor between I-19 and I-10 would:

• Improve access to future activity centers
• Improve regional mobility
• Improve connectivity
• Integrate the region’s transportation network
• Address existing and future population and economic growth
• Provide an alternative to avoid congestion on I-10 and I-19 

The combined Tier 1 Final EIS/ROD, along with its supporting documentation, is available on the study’s website at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor. In addition, hard copies of the combined Tier 1 Final EIS/ROD document are also available for viewing at the following locations during normal business hours: 

Southcentral District Office - 1221 S. 2nd St. Tucson. Please call to make an appointment. Phone: 520.388.4200

Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701 520.594.5500

Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Canada Dr. Green Valley. Phone:  520.594.5295

Sahuarita Town Clerk’s Office, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way. Phone: 520.822-8801

Subsequent Tier 2 environmental and engineering studies would need to be conducted as part of the NEPA process to further refine the selected 1,500-foot Sonoran Corridor to identify a recommended 400-foot freeway alignment and identify planned interchange locations and other project elements. 

The Final Tier 1 EIS includes a phased implementation plan with preliminary recommendations for how the Sonoran Corridor could move forward into Tier 2 studies. The phased implementation plan includes smaller segments of the selected corridor alternative that may advance as separate, independent projects. These studies, which are not yet funded, would include additional analysis and more opportunities for public review and comment.

For more information about the Sonoran Corridor Study or to view the project fact sheet, please visit  azdot.gov/sonorancorridor

General comments or questions about the study can be submitted to ADOT through the following methods:

Online: azdot.gov/sonorancorridor

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1.855.712.8530

Mail: c/o ADOT Communications – Sonoran Corridor, 1221 S. 2nd Ave. Tucson, AZ 85713

PHOENIX – Members of the public have until Friday, Jan. 8, to share comments about the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Sonoran Corridor that would connect Interstate 19 and Interstate 10 south of the Tucson International Airport.

More than 50 people participated in a Dec. 1 in-person public hearing and a Dec. 3 virtual public hearing the Arizona Department of Transportation held to give a presentation on the study and to hear comments. The presentation and other information are available at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor.

Comments are welcome via:

• Online: www.azdot.gov/sonorancorridor 
• Bilingual phone line: 855.712.8530 
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: ADOT Communications, c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713

All comments and questions will be responded to by the project team in a combined Final Tear 1/Record of Decision, anticipated to be released in summer 2021. 

The proposed Sonoran Corridor would extend from Interstate 19 near El Toro Road to Interstate 10 near Rita Road. There is no timeline for building a road in this corridor.

ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration have developed the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement that identified and studied 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 began in 2017.

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.

Hard copies and/or electronic copies of the Draft Tier 1 EIS are also available at the following repository locations: 

• ADOT Southcentral District Office, 1221 S. Second Ave. in Tucson. By appointment only between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. You must call at least 48 hours in advance at 520.235.3494. 
• Sahuarita Town Hall, Clerk’s Office, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita. Available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Information: 520.822.8801. 
• Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.,Tucson. Copies can be reserved for two-day checkout. Information: 520.594.5564. 
• Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Cañada Dr., Green Valley. Information: 520.594.5295 
• Copies are available for purchase, delivery or pick up at The UPS Store, 2004 E. Irvington Road, Tucson. Information: 520.889-0077. Contact the store for cost and details. 

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

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is reminding the public that ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration will hold an in-person public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 1, and a virtual public engagement event Dec. 3, to provide information on a study that would connect Interstate 19 and Interstate 10 south of Tucson.

The public will have the opportunity to make formal comments about the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement to a panel in-person or online, view study materials in-person or online, and watch a presentation at the in-person hearing, or hear the presentation during the virtual public engagement event. 

The public hearing will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree Suites Ballroom Royale, 7051 S. Tucson Blvd. 

Attendance will be limited to provide for adequate social distancing. Participants must pre-register to reserve time to attend the in-person public hearing. Please sign up at tinyurl.com/SonCor, or call 520.327.6077 to reserve a 30-minute slot during the public hearing.

The virtual public engagement event will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public can join by calling 408.418.9388 and entering the meeting number (access code) 146 242 8979 or join online at bit.ly/SCEIS2020, use the meeting number (access code) 146 242 8979 and password SCEIS2020. 

For Spanish, call 408.418.9388 and enter the meeting number (access code) 146 978 0659.  

Participants will have the opportunity to make a comment to the panel that is recorded by the court reporter. Participants can join at any time and will be able to listen to others’ comments about the Draft Tier 1 EIS.

The Draft Tier 1 EIS is available for review on the study website at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor.

Please note that study-related questions will not be answered during the public hearing or virtual public engagement event. All questions will be addressed as part of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The public is encouraged to submit comments on The Draft Tier 1 EIS during the comment period from Nov. 6, 2020, to Jan. 8, 2021. Comments and questions submitted through any of the following options will be considered equal and part of the study record.

At the public hearing or the virtual public engagement event, online at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor, by phone: 855.712.8530, by email: [email protected], USPS mail: ADOT Communications, c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713

Comments received during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement period will be considered during the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

PHOENIX - The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration will hold an in-person public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 1, and a virtual public engagement event Dec. 3, to provide information on a study that would connect Interstate 19 and Interstate 10 south of Tucson.

The public will have the opportunity to make formal comments about the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement to a panel in-person or online, view study materials in-person or online, and watch a presentation at the in-person hearing, or hear the presentation during the virtual public engagement event. 

The public hearing will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree Suites Ballroom Royale, 7051 S. Tucson Blvd. 

Attendance will be limited to provide for adequate social distancing. Participants must pre-register to reserve time to attend the in-person public hearing. Please sign up at tinyurl.com/SonCor, or call 520.327.6077 to reserve a 30-minute slot during the public hearing.

The virtual public engagement event will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public can join by calling 408.418.9388 and entering the meeting number (access code) 146 242 8979 or join online at bit.ly/SCEIS2020, use the meeting number (access code) 146 242 8979 and password SCEIS2020. 

For Spanish, call 408.418.9388 and enter the meeting number (access code) 146 978 0659.  

Participants will have the opportunity to make a comment to the panel that is recorded by the court reporter. Participants can join at any time and will be able to listen to others’ comments about the Draft Tier 1 EIS.

The Draft Tier 1 EIS is available for review on the study website at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor.

Please note that study-related questions will not be answered during the public hearing or virtual public engagement event. All questions will be addressed as part of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The public is encouraged to submit comments on The Draft Tier 1 EIS during the comment period from Nov. 6, 2020, to Jan. 8, 2021. Comments and questions submitted through any of the following options will be considered equal and part of the study record.

At the public hearing or the virtual public engagement event, online at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor, by phone: 855.712.8530, by email: [email protected], USPS mail: ADOT Communications, c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave, Tucson, AZ 85713

Comments received during the Draft Environmental Impact Statement period will be considered during the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

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 – 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 – 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.