TUCSON – State
and federal officials want to know what you think about a proposed Sonoran
Corridor connecting Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson
International Airport as they begin an anticipated three-year environmental
study of the idea.
Next week,
officials from the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway
Administration will host two public meetings to gather public input. The
meetings are scheduled for
* Wednesday, June 7, at the
Radisson Hotel Tucson Airport, 4550 S. Palo Verde Road, Tucson
* Thursday, June 8, at the Santa
Cruz Valley United Methodist Church, 70 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita
Both meetings will take place at 5:30
– 7 p.m., with a presentation beginning at 6 p.m.
The meetings are part of a public
scoping 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 July 15 in several ways:
* Online survey: azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor
* Email: Sonorancorridor@azdot.gov
* Toll-free
bilingual information line: 855-712-8530
* Mail:
Sonoran Corridor
Tier 1 EIS Study Team
c/o ADOT Communications
1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phoenix, AZ 85007The 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 will
identify and study a range of possible corridors along with the opportunities
and constraints of each. The study will consider the potential social, economic
and natural environmental impacts of the alternatives, as well as the impact of
not building a freeway in this area.
No
route has been selected and there is no timetable for building the Sonoran
Corridor, and no funding has been identified for it. For more information about this study, visit azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.
|