EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY 5460 West Four Barrel Court Tucson, AZ 85743 July 29, 2005 EXECUTIVE S UMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Prepared for: Cochise County, Arizona Prepared by: Curtis Lueck & Associates 5460 West Four Barrel Court Tucson, AZ 85743 (520) 743-8748 FAX (520) 743-4210 Project No. 2004.04 Curtis Lueck, P.E., AICP, Principal Marcos Esparza, P.E., Senior Associate Cheryl Rader, Senior Planner/Analyst July 29, 2005 DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT NOTICE This study has been prepared using available traffic data and forecasts , as well as limited field data collected specifically for this study. It is intended for use in making a determination regarding the transportation infrastructure needs of the study area. It is not intended for use as a design document, nor does it represent a standard or specification. The document is copyrighted by Cochise County, AZ and Curtis Lueck & Associates, 5460 West Four Barrel Court, Tucson, AZ 85743, telephone 520-743-8748. All rights are reserved pursuant to United States copyright law. The document may not be reproduced digitally or mechanically, in whole or in part, without the prior written approval of CLA, except as noted in the following. (1) Limited quotations may be made, for technical purposes only, as long as proper citation to the authors is provided. (2) Governmental agencies to which this report is submitted for review may make limited copies for internal use and to fulfill formal public requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 Hybrid 1 Alternative ............................................................................................................. 1 Hybrid 2 Alternative (Preferred)......................................................................................... 2 Plan Implementation..................................................................................................................2 Plan Phasing .............................................................................................................................4 Implementation Costs.......................................................................................................... 4 Phasing by Horizon Year .................................................................................................... 5 List of Exhibits Exhibit 1 Exhibit 2 Exhibit 3 Exhibit 4 Exhibit 5 Exhibit 6 Exhibit 7 Exhibit 8 Exhibit 9 Hybrid 2 Alternative...................................................................................................3 Approximate Unit Costs.............................................................................................4 List of Year 2015 Projects and Costs.........................................................................6 Year 2015 Projects....................................................................................................7 List of Year 2025 Projects and Costs.........................................................................8 Year 2025 Projects....................................................................................................9 List of Build Out Projects and Costs.........................................................................10 Build Out Projects....................................................................................................11 Future I-10 Volumes................................................................................................12 Executive Summary Introduction The Northwest Cochise County Regional Transportation Study addresses transportation system needs in the area between State Route 90, the Pima/Pinal County Line, the Coronado National Forest, and a line parallel to and 2 miles north of I-10. The study area is shown on the report cover. In developing this regional transportation plan, three alternatives were developed and refined for continued analysis and evaluation. The three alternatives emphasize east-west connectivity which is lacking throughout the study area, I-10 bypass opportunities, new north-south connections to I-10, connections from major developments to existing communities, the extension of existing I-10 frontage roads and a new road providing access to recreation activities in the Whetstone Mountains. All of the alternatives included the reconstruction or relocation of the three freeway interchanges due to current deficiencies and in anticipation of the need for higher capacity facilities meeting contemporary design standards. The off-ramp/cross road intersections will likely need to be signalized or be reconstructed as roundabouts. These interchange projects could cost about $10 million each, and take up to eight years to implement, assuming funding will be available for construction. All of the alternatives included interconnectivity between the freeway interchanges either via frontage roads or east-west collector roadways tying in to current and proposed north-south routes. This provides alternatives for travel on the freeway for shorter trips, and would permit safer use of bicycles and walking for shorter trips. A “hybrid” alternative, Hybrid 1, incorporating the best elements of the three was established. Following public and agency review, modifications to the Hybrid 1 alternative were made and the final alternative, Hybrid 2, was es tablished as the preferred alternative. A description of the two Hybrid alternatives follows. Hybrid 1 Alternative Following agency review of the three alternatives the Hybrid 1 alternative (shown in the main report) was developed that included the following major elements, 1. A new east-west route on the north side of I-10 that that would provide a connection between Mescal Road and an extension of SR 90 to the north, which ties in to the Benson Airport area and supports Benson’s General Plan for that area, 2. Another new east-west route that would connect J-Six Ranch Road through the proposed Smith Ranch development to SR 90, 3. A potential third connection that would extend J-Six Ranch Road to the southeast on an alignment south of the Smith Ranch MDP area and intersect with SR 90 along the Post Road alignment. 4. A new north-south roadway that would connect the new east-west roadways closest to I-10 through a reconstructed or relocated Skyline Interchange. 5. An extension of the frontage road on the south side of I-10 from SR 90 east to SR 80. 6. The widening of SR 90 to six lanes from I-10 to south of Post Road. 7. The reconstruction of the J-Six Ranch/Mescal, Skyline and SR 90 interchanges at I10. Additional elements include the signalization of arterial-arterial and arterial-collector intersections where warranted (in the future) and planning studies (location reports, change of access analysis and other traffic studies) that would prepare for the specific improvements suggested in the Hybrid alternative. The City of Benson is preparing to manage its first city transportation study to identify project needs over a future period. This study is included in the list of projects recommended © 2005 Page 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY for this planning study. The collector/collector intersections may need signalization, but they could also be designed as modern roundabouts to negate the expense and delay associated with traffic signals. Signals should only be installed and activated when warrants contained in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices are met, and an engineering analysis demonstrates their need. The Hybrid 1 alternative did not include direct access by new development to Titan Road, nor were new frontage roads included in the Hybrid 1 Alternative. Hybrid 2 Alternative (Preferred) Following the receipt of public comments and another agency review period, a final and preferred alternative, Hybrid 2, was developed. This alternative is very close in concept to the Hybrid 1 alternative. Three significant modifications were made. The east-west connector north of I-10 is now envisioned to be more northern and the direct east-west connection from Smith Ranch to J-Six Ranch Road was removed. The eastern connection from Smith Ranch Road was also realigned to intersect SR 90 at a location about ½-mile north of the concept shown in the Hybrid 1 Alternative. This eastern roadway is tentatively named Nueva Jenella Road. All of these adjustments were made based on public and agency concerns about the impacts of future roads through existing rural neighborhoods, and incorporation of the zoning stipulations for the approved Smith Ranch Master Development Plan. The roadway alignments identified in the Hybrid 2 alternative should be considered very conceptual. Prior to implementation, additional alignment, right-of-way, environmental, and design studies will be needed. The new roadways could take three or more years to fund and construct. Exhibit 1 illustrates the Hybrid 2 alternative. Plan Implementation The projects associated with the recommended Hybrid 2 alternative will have wide ranging costs, opportunities for cost sharing, and varying implementation lead times. The most complex projects will be those related to I-10 because of the Federal and State environmental requirements and access control regulations of the Federal Highway Administration. These will also be among the most expensive projects. Lead times could be eight years or more for new interchanges, assuming funds are committed and made available in a timely manner. The easier improvements will likely be those along existing rights -of-way or across easily attainable rights-of-way. For instance, access across State land should be attainable if the State Land Department sees a benefit to the State Trust. Private land owners may dedicate land free, if access to their property (and therefore value) is enhanced. Planning studies will be required for most improvements that are recommended. Locations studies will be necessary to identify specific alignments for new roadways. These studies will require environmental documentation and permitting, design concepts and public involvement. Pre-design efforts may require up to two years before actual design and construction occurs. Since the new major corridors in the study area do not need to follow the section line, there are opportunities for the corridors to respond to terrain, natural resources, and cultural resources (if any) along their path. Guidelines on environmentally sensitive roadway design are contained in Pima County’s Roadway Design Manual (Chapter 4) which could be a useful reference document when the corridor planning is undertaken by Cochise County. ADOT should aggressively pursue its planning and design concepts for I-10 into Cochise County. The studies currently stop at the Cochise/Pima County line. Digital orthophotography will be available in calendar year 2005 from the Pima Association of Governments, which should be suitable for planning and preliminary design purposes. © 2005 Page 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 1 Hybrid 2 Alternative © 2005 Page 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY New funding sources dedicated to improvements of the existing roadways and network expansion will be needed. This report recommends using a new Cochise County roadway impact fee and the recently adopted City of Benson construction sales tax for these purposes, in addition to traditional sources like the Highway User Revenue Fund. Most of the revenue generated by these two sources will come from new development, and will be used for new roadways and capacity improvements. It is anticipated that the projects identified in this study will take at least 25 years, possibly as long as 35 years, to fully implement. The status of development in the area, and the roadways needed to serve the development, should be monitored regularly by local and state agencies . This study should be updated periodically, perhaps every five years. The cost of plan implementation should include expansion of Cochise County staff to oversee the effective completion of recommended projects. It is reasonable to expect the need for additional staff to manage, monitor and inspect the proposed plan. Plan Phasing The phasing of the roadway network improvements within the project area was based on two specific horizon years and a “Build out” year. The two horizon years, 2015 and 2025, represent periods when expected additions and improvements to the northwest Cochise County roadway system should be in place to accommodate anticipated growth and development, and so that the roadway network performance is satisfactory at different stages of area development. Inadequate roadway development supporting fast growing areas is a challenge. It is difficult to implement projects in areas where the existing traffic exceeds the capacity of the roadways, and public demand for short term solutions is high. However, short term solutions may be both costly and counterproductive in the implementation of permanent solutions. Therefore, Cochise County must monitor its infrastructure needs continually to ensure that projects are programmed and funding is identified prior to infrastructure elements exceeding their capacities. Implementation Costs A preliminary work-up of project costs was developed from a basic set of unit costs for each type of facility construction or improvement. The typical unit costs which jurisdictions within the project area can expect to pay are consistent with current improvement costs experienced in nearby jurisdictions. Importantly, any of these costs could be reduced by as much as 30% if constructed by the private sector rather than as publicly bid projects. These average costs presented in current year (2005) dollars include: Exhibit 2 Approximate Unit Costs 3 lane collector 4 lane divided arterial 6 lane divided arterial Upgrade 2 lane divided to 4 lane divided Upgrade 4 lane divided to 6 lane divided Interchange $2,500,000/Mile $4,500,000/Mile $6,500,000/Mile $3,500,000/Mile $5,000,000/Mile $10,000,000/Each The above arterial and collector improvement costs include the cost of right of way, together with standard costs for drainage and utility improvements. It is expected that interchange improvements would occur within existing ADOT right of way. © 2005 Page 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY The costs for local roads (most collectors, residential streets, alleys, etc) are not included in the costs in the table because these roads are generally constructed by the land developer. Phasing by Horizon Year The following section identifies the recommended projects that should be in place by the horizon year (2015, 2025, Build Out). A list of projects with a map key and a map showing the location and type of project is shown for each horizon year. Between 2005 and Year 2015 Major projects through the year 2015 include a new road from the Smith Ranch development to SR 90. This road, tentatively name Nueva Jenella Road would intersect at SR 90 along an existing County section line. Nueva Jenella Road would continue east toward the City of Benson where it would tie into the existing City roadway system, thus providing a direct connection from the Smith Ranch development to the existing Benson area. Also, based on expected growth within Smith Ranch and along SR 90, the acceptable capacity of SR 90 is projected to be exceeded and SR 90 should be widened to a six-lane cross section north of the Nueva Jenella Road intersection. An extension of the frontage road south of I-10 from SR 90 east to Benson is included in these projects to be completed by 2015. Exhibit 3 is a table that describes the projects that are recommended to be in place by 2015 and the costs of implem entation. Exhibit X illustrates the projects. The cost of the projects listed and shown is approximately $54 million in current (2005) year dollars. Between 2016 and Year 2025 By the year 2025, recommended projects include a new east-west roadway from Mescal Road north of I-10 to a new roadway extending northward from a reconstructed or relocated Skyline interchange. Growth along SR 90 will increase, potentially requiring its widening to a six lane cross section south of Nueva Jenella Road. Exhibit 4 is a table that describes the projects that are recommended to be in place by 2025. Exhibit 5 illustrates the projects. The estimated cost of the projects listed and shown is approximately $27 million in current (2005) year dollars. The total cost of plan implementation through the year 2025 is about $81 million. Build Out – After 2026 Projects forecast for the build out year include an extension of the new east-west roadway north of I-10 to SR 90. If a regional need for an additional southern east-west collector roadway develops, a new roadway would potentially extend from J-Six Ranch Road southeasterly and intersect with SR 90 at Post Road. SR 90 would also be widened south to Post Road. This could be a rural collector, depending on future travel demand. An extension of SR 90 north of I-10 to provide access to the Benson Airport is included in the project list. Exhibit 6 shows the roadway network at build out. The total cost of plan implementation through build out is about $166 million. © 2005 Page 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 3 List of Year 2015 Projects and Costs Proposed Roadway Network by 2015 Map Key* A B C D E Project Description New Jennella/ Whetstone Connection - 4 Lanes Construct/Improve 3-lane Jennella Whetstone Connection Widen SR 90 to 6 lanes Reconstruct SR-90 Interchange Construct South Side Frontage Road Connector Project Limits Studies Needed** Ultimate Length Existing Functional (Miles) Lanes Class Estimated Cost ($M) Potential Funding Sources Advanced Planning Location Study Design/ Construction SR 90 - Smith Ranch 4.2 Arterial N/A $ 18.90 X X X SR 90 to Benson 1.4 Arterial 2, Partial $ 3.50 X X X 3.0 Arterial 4 $ 15.00 X X N/A Interchange N/A $ 10.00 X X 1.5 Collector N/A $ 3.75 X I-10 to Jennella Interchange Area SR 90 east to City of Benson F Skyline Interchange Skyline Design Concept Interchange Report Area N/A N/A N/A $ 0.15 X G Traffic Signal Nueva Jennella/ SR Intersection 90 N/A N/A N/A $ 0.15 X N/A Benson Transportation Study N/A N/A N/A $ 0.15 N/A Pima Cochise I-10 Corridor Study County Line to N/A East of Benson N/A N/A $ 0.20 N/A Advance Planning, Improved or Location and Traffic New Routes/ Reports** Facilities N/A N/A $ 2.00 Benson Sphere of influence N/A Costs ($M) by 2015 X Federal State County (1) City (2) Private (3) X X X X X X X X Included in Benson General Plan and Circulation Element X X X X X X X X $ 53.80 © 2005 X Previously identified as deficient by ADOT. Page 6 This design concept report will address interchange design, location, and interstate access control issues. X X X X X X X Comments Conduct traffic engineering and transportation planning study for City of Benson under ADOT's Small Area Transportation Study Program X This is a continuation of an ongoing study in Pima County (I-10 from I19 to County line.) X X X EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 4 Year 2015 Projects © 2005 Page 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 5 List of Year 2025 Projects and Costs Proposed Roadway Network by 2025 Map Key* Project Description Project Limits Studies Needed** Ultimate Length Existing Functional (Miles) Lanes Class Estimated Cost ($M) Potential Funding Sources Advanced Planning Location Study Design/ Construction Federal State County (1) City (2) H Construct North Side Connector Mescal Road to Skyline Extension 2.5 Collector N/A $ 6.25 X X X I Reconstruct or Relocate Skyline Interchange Interchange Area N/A Interchange N/A $ 10.00 X X X X X J Widen SR 90 to 6 lanes 1.5 Arterial 4 $ 7.50 X X X X K North-South Interconnect 1.2 Collector N/A $ 3.00 X L Traffic Signals - SR 90 and Skyline Interchanges Interchanges N/A N/A N/A $ 0.60 X Jennella to Connector Road Skyline Interchange to new East West Connector north of I-10 Costs ($M) by 2025 - Includes 2015 Projects © 2005 X X X $ 81.15 Page 8 X X X X X X X X Private (3) X X X EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 6 Year 2025 Projects © 2005 Page 9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 7 List of Build Out Projects and Costs Proposed Roadway Network by Buildout Map Key* Project Description M Reconstruct Mescal/J-Six Interchange N Widen SR 90 to 6 lanes O P Q R S T U Project Limits Interchange Area I-10 to North of Connector Road to South of Post Road Skyline Construct North Extention Side Connector Road to SR 90 Extension SR 90 to Widen Jennella Prickly Pear Road to 4 lanes (Benson) I-10 to New Widen J-Six Ranch Southern Road to 4 lanes East/West Connector Whetstone Jennella Mountains Extension to Recreational Forest Access Boundary Southern EastJ-Six Ranch West Connector - 4 Road to SR Lanes 90/Post Road State Route 90 I-10 to Airport Corridor Extension Road Traffic Signals Mescal, J-Six TIs, Interchanges SR90/Post Road Length (Miles) Studies Needed** Ultimate Existing Functional Lanes Class Estimated Cost ($M) Advanced Planning Location Study Potential Funding Sources Design/ Construction Federal N/A Interchange N/A $ 10.00 X X X X 2.6 Arterial 4 $ 13.00 X X X X 3.4 Collector N/A $ 8.50 X 1.5 Collector 2 $ 5.25 1.1 Collector 2 $ 1.5 Collector N/A 7.3 Arterial 1.7 N/A X City (2) Private (3) X X X X X X 3.85 X X X X $ 3.75 X X X X X N/A $ 32.85 X X X Arterial N/A $ 7.65 X X X X X N/A N/A $ 0.45 X X X X Costs ($M) by Build Out - Includes 2015, 2025 Projects $ 166.45 © 2005 State County (1) Page 10 X X X X X X X X X X X X EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Exhibit 8 Build Out Projects © 2005 Page 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NORTHWEST COCHISE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STUDY Freeway volumes in the vicinity of the study area are projected to exceed the current capacity of I-10. In general, when daily volumes on a 4-lane freeway exceed 50,000 vehicles per day (vpd), the acceptable capacity of the freeway is reached. As can be seen by the table below, by 2015, I-10 will exceed this threshold. In fact, the acceptable capacity of a six-lane freeway is approximately 80,000 vpd, and most segments may be over this threshold by 2025. The provision of alternate eastwest corridors within the project vicinity will alleviate some of the congestion at build out. However, the Arizona Department of Transportation must monitor traffic volumes on I-10 to plan for future widening and system improvement needs. Accordingly, this study further recommends that ADOT aggressively pursue its planning and design concepts for I-10 into Cochise County. The studies currently stop at the Cochise/Pima County line. Digital orthophotography will be available in calendar year 2005 from the Pima Association of Governments, which should be suitable for planning and preliminary design purposes. Exhibit 9 Future I-10 Volumes Segment West of Mescal Mescal to Skyline Skyline to SR 90 East of SR 90 EB 27,800 34,600 35,300 31,200 © 2005 2015 WB 27,800 34,700 35,300 30,800 Total 55,600 69,300 70,600 62,000 EB 33,400 41,100 50,300 40,500 2025 WB 33,000 41,000 49,600 41,000 Total 66,400 82,100 99,900 81,500 EB 37,100 40,600 44,400 44,300 BUILDOUT WB 37,000 34,600 41,300 46,900 Total 74,100 75,200 85,700 91,200 Page 12