Temporary direction restriction on Camino Escalante during Nancy Guthrie investigation
 PIMA COUNTY, Feb. 20, 2026 – The Pima County Department of Transportation, at the request of Catalina Foothills Estates Neighborhood Association residents, and in coordination with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Rural Metro Fire, is temporarily restricting the direction of travel on Camino Escalante to eliminate or reduce parking and traffic congestion related to the investigation of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today Show” anchor Savanah Guthrie.
Since the Sheriff’s Department began investigating the case Feb. 1, media and other members of the public have been parking on the narrow easements of the quiet neighborhood road in the Catalina Foothills. There often are so many media gathered in the area and vehicles parking on the sides of the road, that vehicles travelling in opposite directions have been unable to get past each other. Neighbors also have reported that trash trucks have been unable to service the neighborhood. Rural Metro Fire has expressed concern that it will have difficulty responding to emergencies in the neighborhood due to the tight quarters caused by all the parked cars and trucks in the easements and even in the roadway in some instances.
The changes will go into effect Feb. 21.
“We believe making the road one-way is the best possible solution for everyone,” said Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher. “It allows for continued media access to the area while ensuring neighbors can enter and exit without obstruction. It protects public safety by maintaining access for fire service vehicles and reducing chances of collisions, or conflicts between media and neighbors; and it allows for trash, mail, package delivery, and school bus vehicles,” Lesher said.
The restriction will create one-way travel going north from the intersection at North Camino Miraval and North Camino Escalante to East Camino La Zorrela. The County will place Do Not Enter signs at the Camino Escalante and Camino La Zorrela intersection. Parking on the road will only be allowed on the west side. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will enforce these restrictions. About 60 residences along Camino Escalante will be affected by the temporary change. The change will last until no longer needed, Lesher said.
Pima County Code gives authority to the County Engineer to make temporary traffic control changes for public safety purposes.
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