Cochise County Road and Bridge Projects Update
On September 30, Cochise County engineers informed the Board of Supervisors that a range of road and bridge initiatives will progress in the coming years. This includes ongoing work on Davis Road, planning for Mosin Road, various surveys for wooden bridges, and public hearings related to maintenance changes on county roads. However, these projects will still rely on grant funding and necessary approvals from state authorities.
County Engineer Jack shared that the county has been addressing issues on Davis Road since mid-2005, focusing on drainage and ensuring the road is usable in all weather. He noted that this project has become increasingly crucial with a new commercial port slated to open in 2028. “We should update these plans to 2026 and aim to start construction next year,” said Jack, mentioning the need for new NEPA permits. He added that there are already grant funds and HEERF money set aside for it.
The initiative for Davis Road is focused on fixing flood and safety concerns, rather than just widening lanes. Jack pointed out that the design includes an 8-foot shoulder from Central Expressway to State Route 191, as well as a curve realignment at milepost 5. Gomez raised a potential issue, asking if improvements would lead to increased truck traffic towards Tombstone and Benson.
For Mohsin Road, which is 12.5 miles long, design efforts are reportedly 60 percent complete, bolstered by a $6.1 million grant, according to Jacques. It’s estimated that around $2 million will be needed to finish the design and site work. Improvements will include adjusting sight distances and adding 8-foot shoulders. About 150 people reportedly attended the open house related to this project.
The final design of James Ranch Road, which includes ADOT’s input, is nearing completion. Jack said ADOT has provided approximately $27.5 million, but an additional $20 million is still needed. Initially, the county’s design involved two roundabouts, but to save costs and avoid flooding issues, the latest budget plan eliminates them. Letters of correction will be sent to those who have the old design plans.
Several bridge projects are either in scoping or design phases. Jack mentioned the Whitewater Draw bridge (Rucker Road), built in 1937, which is at risk due to its 5-ton load limit. Leslie Canyon Bridge and Middlemarch Bridge, also made of wood, carry a 10-ton limit. An earlier accident with an overweight truck resulted in a one-lane bridge being reinstated. The county has applied for “off-system bridge” grants and plans to proceed as funding becomes available. Moreover, at Turkey Creek, natural scour mitigation strategies are being devised in cooperation with local NRCD and upstream consultants. Jack noted that scour can jeopardize bridge stability and needs addressing downstream.
Jack is preparing a precast box culvert design for Leslie Canyon to update a culvert at milepost 8.6, which is forcing some residents to take a lengthy 35-mile detour for water access. The county has identified over 300 FEMA-certified intersections on county roads and will prioritize enhancements based on traffic levels and obstructions.
The board talked about public engagement for the November 6 hearing concerning the proposed maintenance list changes. Jack stated that postcards would be mailed to around 4,000 property owners about road considerations, with the board slated to vote on potential additions or removals in a later meeting. The county anticipates between 200 and 300 attendees for the public hearing, potentially requiring a larger venue, such as a high school auditorium or Cochise College.
Throughout the discussion, supervisors and staff highlighted that many of these initiatives have been in the works for quite some time. The Davis Road project traces back to the mid-2000s, and various elements from the 2015 Long Range Transportation Plan are being implemented. Several speakers emphasized that progress hinges on securing additional grants, ADOT funding, and agreements with other agencies. Supervisor Crosby offered to connect with his contacts at ADOT to discuss funding and project scope with Mark Saunders and others. Jack further informed the board that a proposal for an ADOT Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for a bridge investigation project would likely be submitted in November.
No official motions or votes were taken during this work session. It was primarily an informational meeting where staff provided guidance on the next steps and outreach initiatives.
The board concluded the meeting while reminding everyone that a follow-up session later that day would address the county’s vaccination policy.
