Town of S ah ua ri ta Executive Summary Area Transportation Study | Task Assignment MPD 15-09 Introduction The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) assisted the Town of Sahuarita to develop the Sahuarita Area Transportation Study through the Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) program. The PARA program assists counties, cities, towns, and tribal communities in addressing a broad range of multimodal transportation planning issues including roadway and non-motorized modes of travel. Objectives of the Town of Sahuarita Area Transportation Study were: ZZ Document current and future conditions relating to multimodal access and mobility throughout the Town of Sahuarita planning area. ZZ Identify mobility and access needs and deficiencies. ZZ Recommend a program of improvements organized into short-term (5 years), mid-term (10 years), and long-term improvements (30 years). ZZ Develop a Major Streets and Routes Plan that will provide the Town with a tool as they coordinate land use and transportation plans. ZZ Assess funding opportunities for implementation of the improvements. Identifying Short Term Transportation Needs and Deficiencies Short term needs and deficiencies were identified through an analysis of existing transportation conditions and through input by stakeholders and the general public. Short term needs and deficiencies included previously programmed projects, safety projects, traffic signal warrant studies, and speed limit studies. Details of these short-term needs and deficiencies are available in the Final Report, and are listed in Exhibit 2. Exhibit 1 - Major Streets and Routes Map Developing Future Transportation Needs and Deficiencies An assessment of future transportation conditions, which considered the anticipated future population growth, demonstrates a need for new east-west transportation corridors. Currently, Sahuarita Road and Pima Mine Road serve as the only continuous east-west corridors in the Sahuarita area. As development in the Sahuarita area continues, these roads will become increasingly more congested. The assessment also indicates a need for additional north-south corridors, particularly in the north and east portion of the study area. In addition, additional north-south capacity is needed, both in the form of providing additional capacity on existing roads as well as providing new road connections. Without additional north-south capacity, existing roads such as La Canada Drive, Rancho Sahuarita Boulevard, Nogales Highway, Duval Mine Road, and Wilmot Road; as well as roads outside of the study area such as I-19 and Houghton Road, will be significantly congested. A 2040 recommended roadway network was developed to address deficiencies identified in the assessment of future transportation conditions. The recommended network considers stakeholder input, and was developed collaboratively with the Town of Sahuarita staff. The 2040 recommended road network is shown in the Major Streets and Routes Map (Exhibit 1). Major Streets and Routes Map The Major Streets and Routes Map was developed to serve as a guide for future street improvements. The Map identifies which streets serve as primary traffic corridors. The Map serves as a guide for future street improvements, as the identified right-of-way allows for the needed number of lanes and features such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and medians. It will provide guidance as to how much right-of-way will need to be dedicated by new development. 1 Project Phasing and Implementation – Roadway Projects The roadway network shown in the Major Streets and Routes Map will take several years to implement. To guide this implementation, project phasing was accomplished through a process which involved organizing projects into four planning horizons: 1. 0 to 5 Years (short-term) 2. 5 to 10 Years (mid-term) 3. 10 to 20 Years (long term) 4. Greater than 20 Years (very long term) In general, short-term projects are those needed to address current needs and deficiencies. The Project team coordinated with Town staff to identify realistic timeframes for the remaining projects, as summarized in Exhibit 2. Exhibit 2 - Roadway Projects Phasing Project Name Description Location Project Length (miles) Cost (in 000s) Justification Champion Short Term (0-5 Years) Roadway Projects Sahuarita Road #3 Widen from 2 to 4 lane divided arterial La Villita Road to Country Club Road 2.49 $ 56,515 (RTP) Capacity need Sahuarita RR grade separation @ Sahuarita Road Construct grade separation East of Nogales Highway N/A $25,000 (RTP) Safety need Sahuarita Duval Road/ Duval Mine Road/La Canada Drive Safety Assessment Duval Road (La Canada Drive to I-19), and Duval Mine Road (La Canada Drive to I-19) Duval Road/ Duval Mine Road/La Canada Drive area N/A $30 Safety and access need Sahuarita Nogales Highway Road safety assessment Calle Valle Verde to Old Nogales Highway N/A $30 Safety need Sahuarita Old Nogales Highway Install center reflectors Nogales Highway to Quail Crossing Blvd 2.25 To Be Determined Safety need Sahuarita Rancho Sahuarita Blvd Signal warrant studies N/A $30 Traffic control need Sahuarita Speed limit study Study to set speed limits Sahuarita Road (La Canada to La Villita Road) and Nogales Highway (Pima Mine Road to Sahuarita Road) N/A $30 Safety need Sahuarita Quail Crossing Blvd Extension Construct new 2-lane roadway with new Santa Cruz River Bridge Old Nogales Highway to Nogales Highway 1.61 To Be Determined Access/ Connectivity Sahuarita Rancho Sahuarita Blvd Widen from 2 to 4-lanes Sahuarita Road to El Toro Road 1.00 To Be Determined Capacity need Developer To Be Determined Capacity need Developer Mid Term Projects (5-10 Years) Rancho Sahuarita Blvd Widen from 2 to 3-lanes El Toro Road to La Villita Road Duval Mine Road Widen from 3 to 4-lanes West Town Boundary to La Canada Drive 0.62 $1,246 Capacity need Sahuarita La Villita Road Widen from 2 to 4-lanes El Toro Road to Rancho Sahuarita Road 1.78 $7,129 Capacity need Sahuarita Rancho Sahuarita NorthSouth Connector New 2-lane road Rancho Sahuarita Blvd to Pima Mine Road 2.62 $10,473 Capacity need Developer El Toro Road Construct new 2-lane roadway with sidewalks La Canada Drive to La Villita Road and multi-use lanes 1.49 $5,014(RTP) Capacity need/ Connectivity Sahuarita La Villita Rd. Construct new 2-lane roadway with bike lanes, curb and gutter and sidewalks Sahuarita Rd. to Nogales Hwy 2.8 $6,004 (RTP) Capacity need Sahuarita Old Tucson Nogales Highway Corridor Widen to 4 lanes, including new Santa Cruz Bridge Continental Road to Nogales Highway 4.9 $49,000 Capacity need Sahuarita Pima Mine Road # 1 Widen from 2 to 4-lanes I-19 to Nogales Highway 2.41 $22,000 (RTP) Capacity need Sahuarita Nogales Highway Widen from 2 to 6-lanes Pima Mine Road to Sahuarita Road 3.01 $36,157 Capacity need Sahuarita Nogales Highway Widen from 2 to 4-lanes Sahuarita Road to Old Nogales Highway 2.34 $8,975 Capacity need Sahuarita Pima Mine Road Widen from 4 to 6-lanes I-19 to Nogales Highway 2.41 $9,627 Capacity need Sahuarita Santa Rita Road NorthSouth Extension Widen existing and construct new 4-lane section Pima Mine Road to Nogales Highway 4.26 $17,057 Capacity need Sahuarita Rancho Sahuarita Blvd Widen from 2 to 4-lanes La Villita Road to 4-lane section south of Pima Mine Road 2.62 $10,461 Capacity need Developer Sahuarita Road # 2 Widen from 4 to 6-lanes La Canada Drive to La Villita Road 1.41 $15,000 (RTP) Capacity need Sahuarita Nogales Highway Widen to 6-lanes I-19 to Nogales Highway 2.17 $26,011 Capacity need Sahuarita El Toro Road Widen from 2 to 6-lanes La Canada Drive to La Villita Road 1.49 $17,880 Capacity need Developer Developer Long Term Projects (10-20 Years) Very Long Term Projects (20+ Years) Campbell Avenue Extend 2-lane roadway Quail Crossing Blvd. to Sahuarita Road 6 $18,000 (RTP) Capacity need/ Connectivity Quail Crossing Blvd Extension Construct new 4-lane roadway with new Santa Cruz River Bridge Old Nogales Highway to Nogales Highway 1.61 To Be Determined Access/ Connectivity Sahuarita El Toro Road Construct new 6-lane roadway La Villita Road to Wilmot Road 7.22 $86,602 Capacity need Developer Sahuarita Road Widen from 4 to 6-lanes La Villita Road to Wilmot Road 6.55 $26,211 Capacity need Sahuarita Country Club Road extension Widen from 2 to 6-lanes Sahuarita Road to El Toro Road 0.99 $11,845 Capacity need Developer 2 Exhibit 2 - Roadway Projects Phasing (continued) Project Name Description Project Length (miles) Location Cost (in 000s) Justification Champion Very Long Term Projects (20+ Years) Road A Construct new 4-lane road Santa Rita Road Extension to Wilmot Road 5.07 $40,589 Capacity need Developer Road B Construct new 4-lane road Santa Rita Road Extension to Wilmot Road 5.02 $10,150 Capacity need Developer Country Club Road extension Construct 6-lane roadway Sahuarita Road to Pima Mine Road 3.02 $36,239 Capacity need Developer Country Club Road extension Widen from 2 to 4-lanes El Toro Road to Santa Rita Road 1.29 $5,155 Capacity need Developer Wilmot Road Widen from 2 to 6-lanes Pima Mine Road to El Toro Road connection at Sahuarita Road 2.64 $31,630 Capacity need Developer Swan Road extension New road - 6-lanes (Pima Mine Road to El Toro Road), 4-lanes (El Toro Road to Santa Rita Road) Pima Mine Road to Santa Rita Road 6.13 $64,205 Capacity need Developer Sahuarita Road #4 Widen from 2 to 4 lanes Country Club Road to SR 83 15.06 $155,000 (RTP) Capacity need Sahuarita Pima Mine Road New 6-lane road Nogales Highway to Wilmot Road 5.52 $66,266 Capacity need Sahuarita Santa Rita Road extension New 4-lane roadway Duval Mine Road extension to Swan Road extension 2.63 $21,065 Capacity need Sahuarita Project Phasing and Implementation – Transit and Rail Projects Recommendations for transit and rail improvements are based on input from the PAG High Capacity Transit System Plan (September 2009), which has been integrated into the PAG Draft 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. The implementation plan for transit and rail can be summarized as follows: ZZ Continuation of the new circulator and connector transit service. ZZ Provide amenities to support new transit service, such as bus shelters, and park and ride lots. ZZ Provide express bus service, per the RTA Plan. ZZ Provide bus rapid transit service and commuter rail services as long term projects. Bus rapid transit (BRT) service features include modern low-floor buses, signal priority at intersections, maximum off-vehicle fare collection, reduced headways, real-time information displays, and modern stations. This service typically provides fewer stops, more frequent service, and longer trips compared to local bus service. Recommended transit and rail projects are summarized in Exhibit 3. Exhibit 3 - Transit and Rail Projects Phasing Project Name Location Justification Cost (in 000s) Draft 2040 RTP Status Short Range And Medium Range Projects (1-10 years) Improve Circulator System Sahuarita / Green Valley To Be Determined; 197,600 (region-wide) Sun Tran Existing Operations and Maintenance Sahuarita / Green Valley To Be Determined; $ 1,952,000 (region-wide) Bus shelters Sahuarita To Be Determined; $2,850 (region-wide) Locations to be determined Committed- all timeframes Commuter Rail Study Downtown Tucson to Sahuarita / Green Valley 5,000 (RTP) Determine feasibility of commuter rail service Committed- listed in Middle timeframe Sun Tran Express Bus Service Expansion Green Valley / Sahuarita to Raytheon/ downtown To Be Determined; $78,420 (RTP) allocated region-wide Part of RTA Plan Committed- all timeframes; assumed part of express bus service expansion Part of RTA Plan Committed- all timeframes; assumed part of paratransit service expansion Committed; Assumed part of Sun Tran existing operations and maintenance Long-Range (10-30 years) High Capacity Transit Enhancements ( Bus Rapid Transit) To be determined To Be Determined; $10,000 (region-wide) Supports high capacity enhancements may be predecessor to a commuter rail service Committed- all timeframes Park and Ride Lots (I-19/ Sahuarita Road) Depending on the High Capacity Transit Corridor, this could be at I-19 / Sahuarita Road or on Old Nogales Highway To Be Determined; $6,000 (region-wide) Part of PAG High Capacity Transit Study Infrastructure Planning Recommendations Reserve Project Commuter Rail to Sahuarita / Green Valley Sahuarita / Green Valley to Downtown $ 345,250 Provide high capacity service between city centers Not included Regional Component of Tucson/ Nogales Passenger Rail Southern border of Pima County to downtown Tucson, using existing UP Rail Line $ 604,188 Provide high capacity service between city centers Reserve Project; ADOT sponsor Executive Summary T own of Sahuarita Area Transportation Study | Task Assignment MPD 15-09 3 Project Phasing and Implementation – Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects As arterial and collector road projects are constructed through the Town’s road program, they should include provisions for bicycle lanes and sidewalks. Over time, this will provide the Town with an extensive and interconnected system of bicycle routes and sidewalks. The public also expressed a desire for a well-connected system of trails. In particular, providing connections to the Juan Baptista de Anza Trail and the Town Center area are important goals. An important RTA funded project that will benefit bicyclists and pedestrians is a shared-use path for the Santa-Cruz River Park, from Pima Mine Road to Sahuarita Road. This shared use path will be part of a larger shared use path along the Santa Cruz River. based on conformance with the PAG Regional Plan for Bicycling (approved September 2009), the Town Center Plan, and Town of Sahuarita Draft Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Plan. In addition, new roadway facilities are assumed to incorporate bike lanes and sidewalks if designed to an urban cross section. There are also a number of regional projects planned that have benefit to the Town. These are: Recommended bicycle and pedestrian projects (Exhibit 4) were developed ZZ Bicycle encouragement and safety outreach programs. ZZ Bicycle and pedestrian signage and stenciling. ZZ Adult bicycle and safety education. ZZ Expansion of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. ZZ Signalized pedestrian and bicycle crossings. ZZ Sidewalk continuity and maintenance. Exhibit 4 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Phasing Project Name Description Cost (in 000s) Location Justification Draft 2040 RTP Status Short–Range and Medium Range Projects (1-10 years) La Villita Road bike lanes Construct bike lanes Sahuarita Road to Rancho Sahuarita Boulevard $420 (RTP) Connects large residential area to commercial and government land uses. Recommended as part of PAG Regional Bike Plan Quail Connector Trail Construct shared use path Quail Crossing to Abrego Drive $750 (RTP) Connect Quail Creek and Stone Canyon residential areas to commercial land uses. Proposed Recommended as part of PAG Regional Bike Plan Sahuarita Road #5 bike lanes (1.2 miles) Construct bike lanes Santa Rita Road to Alvernon $420 (RTP) Joint project with Pima County Plan status in PAG Bike Plan is a Reserve Project Proposed fill in gaps in the system Reserve Project Sahuarita Bikeways Construct bikeways To be determined $420 (RTP) Sahuarita non-urban shared use path Construct shared use paths To be determined $ 6,758 (RTP) Create more shared use paths in non-urban areas Sahuarita Road #1 bike lanes Construct bike lanes Proposed Reserve Project Long-Range Projects (10-30 years) Santa Cruz River Park Shared use paths Construct shared use path Santa Cruz River Park Shared Use Path Construct shared use path Sahuarita Road Trail – Shared Use Path Construct shared use path Mission Road to La Canada Proposed Sahuarita Road to Continental Road $4,978 (RTP) RTA funded project Reserve Project Pima Mine Road to Sahuarita Road (3.5 Miles) $1,780 (RTP) Provides multimodal connectivity for the De Anza Trail. Recommended as part of the PAG Regional Bike Plan Reserve Project Mission Road to SR 83 (24 miles) 3,600 (RTP) Joint project with Pima County Reserve Project Transportation Funding An assessment of transportation funding indicates that the costs of necessary capital improvements and operations/maintenance vastly exceed available and expected revenue. On a broad-brush level, there are four options for addressing this gap: • Raise revenue to more fully cover costs. • Substitute lower-cost alternatives--such as travel demand management, transportation system management, and Intelligent Transportation Systems for more costly capacity solutions. • Accept lower performance standards to bring revenue and needs into balance. • Some blend of these three strategies. It is apparent that no single option will close the gap between needs and revenue. The need exists to investigate an array of revenue sources, including both current sources and new or enhanced sources. For the Town of Sahuarita, the following list offers strategies for raising revenue to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population: ZZ Use improvement districts, revenue bonds, innovative financing, and construction sales taxes to help resolve as many as possible of today’s capacity and maintenance deficiencies. No new legislation is needed. ZZ To accommodate new growth, establish a roadway impact fee program, possibly including state routes. New legislation would be needed, 4 $1,645 (RTP) however, to enable the state to collect impact fees for improvements to the ADOT highway system. ZZ Consider the use of additional community facilities districts to fund offsite improvements for large new developments. ZZ Implement a concurrency program, in which new development cannot proceed into construction until needed roadways are funded, permitted, and fully programmed for implementation. No new legislation is needed. This can be incorporated into the Town’s general plan pursuant to ARS Title 9. ZZ Seek legislative approval for local revenue options such as a local gasoline tax, a local sales tax on fuel, and local vehicle registration fees. This requires a simple majority vote at the legislature followed by local adoption. ZZ Seek an increase in the state gasoline tax. ZZ Seek an increase in the federal gasoline tax. ZZ Strive for a balanced transportation system, with due consideration of land use patterns, that incorporates transit and alternative modes of travel. This will require investigation of additional sources of funding for public transportation in the study area, such as a ¼ to ½ percent sales tax, a property tax, or a new transit district with taxation authority. These options may require new legislation, but some may be achievable under current statutes.