 Pathway extension adds two miles to The Chuck Huckelberry Loop
PIMA COUNTY, June 3, 2020 - For folks who love the Julian Wash segment of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop, there’s another two miles of it to enjoy.
In early May, the County extended a section of The Loop from Rita Road to Houghton Road, providing a key connection to the pathways along the east side of Houghton Road. The project also is a major phase of a larger effort to extend The Loop to the Pima County Fairgrounds.
That project is likely two-three years out, when the Arizona Department of Transportation completes the I-10/Houghton Interchange and when Pima County’s Department of Transportation improves Houghton south of I-10.
At I-10/Houghton, ADOT has agreed to make provisions for The Loop to be extended through that future interchange and also having The Loop shift from the east side of Houghton north of I-10, to the west side of Houghton south of I-10.
The path completed in May extends under the new Houghton Road bridge that goes over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The project provides a connection to the existing two-way, multiuse path on the east side of Houghton that’s overseen by the city of Tucson.
The eventual extension to provide access to the Pima County Fairgrounds aligns with goals set forth by the County’s Attractions and Tourism Department and Economic Development Office, which includes promoting Pima County and The Loop as a destination for those keen on outdoor recreation. On the economic development side, County officials also have found that the Loop has played a role in attracting employers to the region.
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