On June 22, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that Pima County received $20 million from the Rebuild America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Act (RAISE), providing drive lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes to a 1.3-mile section of the county. , announced that it will add other transportation facilities. West Valencia Street.

On the West Valencia Road, the section between Mark Road and Wade Road has recently been widened and sidewalk construction has been completed.

Once completed, Valencia between Mission Road and Camino de la Tierra will have more lanes, better traffic flow, safer, better bike lanes and access to public transport. and improved amenities.

It will also improve connections between the Tucson metropolitan area and underserved communities such as the Pascua Yaki Nation and the Tohono O’Dum Nation San Xavier neighborhood, as well as the new residential developments in unincorporated Pima County. .

“This investment in a historically underserved area will improve road safety and access to resources, benefiting the entire Valencia Road Western Corridor,” said Adelita S. Grijalva, Chairman of the Pima County Supervisory Board. will bring about,” he said. “There is so much more to be gained from road improvements than adding lanes, which is why I fully support Pima County’s commitment to full streets.”

Complete Streets is a design concept that improves access for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Members of the Arizona legislative delegation notified the county on Friday that the application was successful, and Rep. Raul Grijalva sent a news release announcing the award late on June 23. Formal notification by USDOT he expects by June 28th.

In addition to building environmentally sustainable infrastructure, improving the quality of life for people living in surrounding areas, and creating economic opportunities for underserved demographics. , which is one of the main objectives of this project.

From 2017 to 2021, this corridor had some of the lowest safety ratings in the Tucson metropolitan area. There were four pedestrian accidents during this period, including three fatalities and three bicycle accidents. All three fatal incidents occurred at night in areas with no sidewalks.in the same five years Arizona Department of Transportation Data show a total of 382 vehicle accidents involving 1,168 people. 127 people were injured and 5 died in these clashes.

The project will add sidewalks that do not currently exist, install lighting across the project perimeter, increase the number of travel lanes, add protected bike lanes, and provide public parking with bus drawers, benches and shelters. Upgrade your transit stops. These improvements will transform this section of the West Valencia Road into a complete street with an emphasis on a robust and active transport infrastructure.

“Such federal infrastructure funding has been very helpful, thankfully, but it also contributes to other much-needed transport improvements to the Corridor of Valencia project in the county’s ongoing efforts to build a safer and better Pima county. It also frees up local funds that could otherwise be spent,” and it’s sustainable,” said Pima County Administrator Jan Lescher.

Over the past two decades, Pima County has led long-term planning in terms of environmental sustainability and equity. This project continues that effort. The West Valencia Road Improvement Plan will help reduce air, water and noise pollution in the area by reducing traffic congestion and idling time at intersections along this corridor. The project will also reduce the impact of congestion, cut-through traffic, emissions and noise in neighboring low-income and disadvantaged areas.

Since October 2016, there have been 25 incidents in which the West Valencia Road or the intersections connected to it were closed as a result of road closures or traffic restrictions due to flooding or other weather-related events. Replacing or improving critical infrastructure in the region will reduce flooding, shorten emergency response times, and reduce road closures in the future. These efforts reflect Pima County’s designation as a Class 3 community, which further exceeds federal minimum requirements for floodplain management.

“These improvements not only make travel more efficient and safer, but also demonstrate our communication and dedication to improving the quality of life for our neighbors and businesses,” said Midvale Park Neighborhood. Association president Joe Miller said. “If you do the right things to improve your daily commute, your home value, test scores, and income levels will all go up a little bit.”

The West Valencia Road is the primary connection to the city of Tucson for both the Pascua Yaki Nation and the Tohono O’Dum Nation San Xavier neighborhood. The area is predominantly a commercial sector, with grocers, pharmacies, convenience stores and food services predominate, but little walkable infrastructure.

Adding sidewalks throughout the project area and lighting that provides safe non-vehicle access to these stores will greatly improve the quality of life in the surrounding residential areas. Additionally, most of the region’s public transport infrastructure is in need of significant repairs or upgrades. Most of the bus stops in the project area are open and not ADA compliant. Updated bus stops, including bus stops, benches, shelters and protected bike lanes, will facilitate public transport use for those who cannot afford to own a car.

Once completed, the West Valencia Road project will make the streets safer for both pedestrians and motorists, while improving the quality of life for those who visit the area to support the surrounding communities and local businesses. Implementation of these improvements will continue Pima County’s efforts to incorporate a “perfect street” design for all highways and catchment roads. The “whole road” design ensures safe roadway access for all users, whether they are behind the wheel of a car, on a bicycle or on foot.

“We are thrilled to receive this RAISE grant for the residents of Pima County,” said Director Kathryn Skinner. Pima County Transportation Department. “West Valencia Road is an important corridor for our community. This project will improve mobility for all travelers, including pedestrians, cyclists and transport users. We are focused on modernizing this corridor with a focus on perfect roads by adding additional driving lanes, sidewalks, paved shoulders, enhanced traffic and improved safety.”

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