TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. STUDY OVERVIEW .............................................................................................. 1
................................................................................................................................ 1

2. PREVIOUS STUDIES, REPORTS, AND PLANS .............................................................. 6

3. LAND USE AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS ........................................................ 12

4. ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW.............................................................................. 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
5. STUDY AREA TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS OVERVIEW .......................................... 29

6. MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CONDITIONS ............................................. 67

7. EXISTING TRANSPORTATION ISSUES..................................................................... 73

APPENDIX A. STAKEHOLDER MEETING SUMMARY
APPENDIX B. NTTFI INVENTORY

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF FIGURES (CONTINUED)

LIST OF TABLES

1. STUDY OVERVIEW

STUDY AREA OVERVIEW

Figure 1.1. Study Area

PURPOSE AND NEED

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

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TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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STAKEHOLDERS

PUBLIC OUTREACH

STUDY PROCESS

Figure 1.2. Study Process

2. PREVIOUS STUDIES, REPORTS, AND PLANS

ONGOING AND COMPLETED STUDIES
1999 US Highway 191 Engineering Feasibility Study

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2003 State Route 264 Corridor Profile Study
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2003 Navajo Nation Community Land Use Plan – Ganado Chapter

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2004 State Route 264 Feasibility Study

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2008 Ganado Shopping Center Feasibility Study

2009 Navajo Nation Long Range Transportation Plan

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2009 Navajo Transit System Five-Year Plan

2013 Ganado Economic Development Strategic Plan and 2014
Northeast Arizona Plan for Community and Economic Development

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2014 Northern Arizona Regional Human Services & Public
Transportation Coordination Plan

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PROGRAMMED AND SCOPED PROJECTS

Table 2.1. ADOT State Transportation Improvement Program FY 2015 – 2019

Source: ADOT Multimodal Planning Division

Note: Please note that the above projects are based on the current ADOT STIP. Some of the projects scheduled may already be complete.

Table 2.2. Tribal Transportation Program FY 2015 – 2019

Source: ADOT Multimodal Planning Division

STATE ROUTE 264 PROGRAMMED IMPROVEMENTS

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Table 2.3. Planned State Route 264 Improvements

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Figure 2.1. Planned State Route 264 Improvements

3. LAND USE AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS
LAND OWNERSHIP

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EXISTING LAND USE

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PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS

Table 3.1. Potential Study Area Developments

Figure 3.1. Land Use and Growth Areas

EXISTING SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Table 3.2. Population and Occupied Housing Unit Growth Trends

Source: 2010 US Census, 2000 US Census

Employment Overview

Source: ReferenceUSA 2014

Figure 3.2. Total Population per Square Mile

Figure 3.3. Total Occupied Housing Units per Square Mile

4. ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW

TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

VEGETATION
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BIOLOGY

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Figure 4.1. Environmental Overview

HYDROLOGY

Floodplains

Wetlands

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Wells

PRIME AND UNIQUE FARMLANDS

NOISE IMPACTS

AIR QUALITY

UTILITIES

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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VISUAL RESOURCES

CULTURAL RESOURCES

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Table 4.1. Number of Cultural Resources Projects by Route Segment

1 Sixty-six of these projects were counted more than once because they overlapped several segments.
Source: Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department

Table 4.2. Cultural Resources Sites

Source: Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department

Table 4.2. Cultural Resources Sites (Continued)

Source: Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department

SECTION 4(F) AND SECTION 6(F) RESOURCES

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE REVIEW (TITLE VI)

Table 4.3. Environmental Justice Data Sources

a The 2009-2013 estimates were released on December 4, 2014.
b Because disability questions were changed substantially in 2008, disability data collected prior to 2008 cannot be compared with data collected from 2008 or later. Since five
years of data have not yet been able to be collected since 2008, there is no 5-year disability estimate available, which means the most recent disability information at the census
tract level is from Census 2000

Table 4.4. Title VI and Environmental Justice Populations

Source: 2010 U.S. Census; **2009-2013 American Community Survey (ACS);

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2000 U.S. Census

Figure 4.2. Title VI and Environmental Justice Population Groups Comparison

Population Age 65 and Older

Minority Population

Female Head of Households

Below Poverty Population

Disabled Population

Figure 4.3. Age 65 and Older Population Density

5. STUDY AREA TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS OVERVIEW

TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM (TTP)

ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS
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Table 5.1. Existing Study Area Roadway Characteristics

Functional Classification

FHWA Functional Classification

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Table 5.2. FHWA Functional Classification Definition

Source: FHWA

Figure 5.1: FHWA Functional Classification

BIA Functional Classification

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Table 5.3. BIA Functional Classification Definition

Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs

Figure 5.2: BIA Functional Classification

Number of Lanes

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Posted Speed Limits

Roadway Surface

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FHWA International Roughness
Index Rating Classification

Figure 5.3. Number of Lanes and Posted Speed Limits

Figure 5.4. Road Surface Conditions

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Traffic Control

Access Management

Street Lighting and Pavement Striping

Shoulder Conditions

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Figure 5.5. Shoulder Conditions

Fencing and Cattle Guards

Drainage Conditions

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BRIDGE CONDITIONS

Table 5.4. FHWA Bridge Condition Ratings

Source: ADOT Bridge Group

CRASH DATA ANALYSIS

Figure 5.6. Crash Trends from September 2008 to September 2013

Source: Navajo Department of Transportation September 2008 – September 2013

Crash Locations

Table 5.5. Crash Locations, Crash Rate, and Leading Crash Cause

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Source: Navajo Department of Transportation September 2008 – September 2013

Figure 5.7. Number of Crashes per Location

Figure 5.8. Crash Density and Fatal Crash Locations

Injury Severity

Intersection Related Crashes

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Road and Weather Conditions

Figure 5.9. Crash Trends by Month (September 2008 to September 2013)

Source: Navajo Department of Transportation September 2008 – September 2013

EXISTING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

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Level of Service

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Figure 5.10. Level of Service

Current Roadway Level of Service
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Current Intersection Level of Service

Table 5.6. Existing Intersection Level of Service Summary

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Figure 5.11. Existing Average Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service

Figure 5.12. Existing Intersection Lane Configuration

Figure 5.13. Existing Intersection Turning Movement Volumes

Figure 5.14. Existing Intersection Level of Service

FUTURE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

Projected 2020 Roadway Level of Service

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Projected 2020 Intersection Level of Service

Table 5.7. Projected 2020 Intersection Level of Service Summary

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Figure 5.15. 2020 Projected Average Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service

Figure 5.16. 2020 Intersection Turning Movement Volumes

Figure 5.17. 2020 Intersection Level of Service

Projected 2025 Roadway Level of Service

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Projected 2025 Intersection Level of Service

Table 5.8. Projected 2025 Intersection Level of Service Summary

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Figure 5.18. 2025 Projected Average Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service

Figure 5.19. 2025 Intersection Turning Movement Volumes

Figure 5.20. 2025 Intersection Level of Service

Projected 2035 Roadway Level of Service

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Projected 2035 Intersection Level of Service

Table 5.9. Projected 2035 Intersection Level of Service Summary

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Figure 5.21. 2035 Projected Average Daily Traffic Volumes and Level of Service

Figure 5.22. 2035 Intersection Turning Movement Volumes

Figure 5.23. 2035 Intersection Level of Service

6. MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CONDITIONS

EXISTING PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLE, AND TRAIL FACILITIES

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Figure 6.1. Existing Pedestrian Facilities in Burnside and Ganado

Table 6.1. Pedestrian, Bicycle and Trail Facilities

EXISTING TRANSIT SERVICES

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Table 6.2. Navajo Transit System (NTS) Routes and Stops within Study Area

Source: Navajo Transit System

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Commuting Characteristics

Table 6.3. Means of Transportation to Work (Workers Age 16 and Older)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey

Table 6.4. Travel Time to Work (Workers Age 16 and Older That Don’t Work At Home)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey

Table 6.5. Vehicles per Household (Occupied Housing Units)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 American Community Survey

AVIATION CONDITIONS

7. EXISTING TRANSPORATION ISSUES

INTERSECTIONS

State Route 264/US Highway 191/Navajo Route 15

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State Route 264/U S Highway 191/Navajo Route 9202

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State Route 264/Navajo Route 9201

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State Route 264/Navajo Route 427

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State Route 264/ Navajo Route 27/Navajo Route 9034

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US 191/N151

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ROADWAY CORRIDORS

State Route 264

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State Route 264 (Continued)
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US 191

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Navajo Route 15

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Navajo Route 27

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Navajo Route 9201

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Navajo Route 9202

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Navajo Route 9034

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Navajo Route 151
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County Route 420

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Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Trail Facilities

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APPENDIX A. STAKEHOLDER MEETING SUMMARY

Ganado/Burnside Area Traffic Circulation Study
Working Paper 1: Existing and Future Conditions

Date:
Time:
Location:

March 3, 2015
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Ganado Chapter House Conference Room

Attendees
See attached sign-in sheets.

Meeting # 1 Summary (9:00 AM – 10:15 AM)
Transportation Agency Officials

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Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
 Need to include the NDOT Safety Division Manager on the TAC list.
 Intersection safety is important.

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Congestion and Mobility Conditions
 Margie Begay presented the results of the NDOT traffic counting effort. She presented Don Sneed with a copy of the
report. Don will have Jacobs scan the report for consideration and distribution to the study team. Vamshi will
coordinate the receipt of electronic files and spreadsheets.
 Question about the Navajo Nation LRTP update; Margie indicated that their LRTP update is in progress and public
meetings will be scheduled in the near future.

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Pedestrian, Bicycle and Transit
 Pedestrian trails and sidewalks are needed both in the Ganado/Burnside areas as well as between them.
 Transit system is used by local residents.

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Future Conditions and Needs
 Margie indicated that improvements were being planned to renovate the Ganado Airport and the access road need
major improvements. According to ADOT’s Aviation Plan, $5.36 million is planned for improvements to the Ganado
Airport over the next 5-years.
 Paving of the access road to the airport (BIA-9034) is currently not funded.
 Jacobs to follow up with the Holbrook District for future roadway improvement efforts. (See follow-up notes below).

1

Meeting # 2 Summary (10:30 – 11:45 AM)
Health, Safety and School Officials

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Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
 264 Hubble Bridge is too narrow; there is no pedestrian walkway across the bridge.
 Animals are on the road, including cattle, horses, and sheep.
 Speeding is an issue; there is only 1 officer assigned to the Ganado area so it is difficult to enforce speed limit. Need to
slow traffic down through the Ganado area.
 High crashes occur at the N-27/SR 264 intersection; consider a roundabout.
 There is no right turn lane to Post Office road.
 Sage Hospital entrance is located too close to the SR 264/US 191 intersection.
 Street lighting is needed, consider solar lights.
 Signing and way-finding is needed especially for the Hubble Trading Post.
 Access to the Hubble Trading Post is confusing with the Church located nearby; turning radii is difficult for RVs to
negotiate. (Note: Discussion With employees at the Hubble Trading post indicated their concern about the entrance and
better signing for the National Park.)

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Congestion and Mobility Conditions
 Sage is planning major expansion improvements that will impact the traffic flow.
 Airport improvements are planned to reopen the Ganado Airport; medical flights and tourism flights could increase
traffic.

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Pedestrian, Bicycle and Transit
 Pedestrians cross the highway (SR264) to access the Post office and Mora’s Conoco station/food mart.
 People use the road (walking) to access the hospital
 Need regular crossings of SR 264 for pedestrians.
 Consider pedestrian needs locally and between Ganado and Burnside.
 People walk along the highway to access Hubble Trading Post to buy supplies.
 Pedestrian trail improvements are needed.
 A multi-modal trail 10-12 feet wide is needed (ATV trail south side of highway).

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Future Conditions and Needs
 Tourism is big for Ganado; better advertising could bring even more visitors.
 Hospital Expansion is planned in the near future.
 Burnside development will cause congestion issues.
 Housing development plans are being considered.
 Ganado may become a regionalized hub for other nearby chapters.
 There is a new natural gas line planned to be constructed in the near future.
 A new 4G tower is planned to be constructed. Fiber optic improvements are also being planned.
2

Meeting # 3 Summary (1:00 PM – 2:15 PM)
Economic Development, Housing and Utility Stakeholders

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Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
 NTUA is planning a new natural gas line from Ganado to Burnside. Project is in design phase and is waiting for funding
to construct. Plans will be sent to Jacobs showing the location of the new gas line. The new gas line is completely
outside the ADOT right-of-way.
 NTUA will also provide Jacobs with the general location of all existing utilities in shape files format.
 Speeding is an issue and speed humps are planned on several local streets.
 Fencing and animal control is a concern.

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Congestion and Mobility Conditions
 The planned economic and housing development in Burnside will cause congestion in that area.
 Improvements to BIA-27 are planning (Paving) to provide secondary access from Ganado to Chinle.

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Pedestrian, Bicycle and Transit
 Consider trails within the ADOT right of way.
 Pedestrian lighting is needed.

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Future Conditions and Needs
 The Chapter has completed a Design for Sustainability effort and will provide a copy to Jacobs.
 Fiber optics is needed for the schools and the hospital.
 The local street addressing project is in progress, a 411 emergency system is being implemented.

3

Meeting # 4 Summary (3:15 PM – 4:30 PM)
Ganado Chapter Planning Committee

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Presentation to the Planning Committee
 Don Sneed presented the study background, the development of the objectives, the PARA application process, how
ADOT funds and manages the study, the selection process and announced that Jacobs Engineering was selected to
conduct the study. He introduced Rick Powers of Jacobs Engineering, a senior project manager to make a short
presentation of the Ganado/Burnside study. Rick passed out a PowerPoint presentation (see attached) and made a
short overview of the study process, timelines, goals and objectives.

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Chapter President Comments
 Chapter President Mr. Vince R. James thanked the study team for spending the past 2-days meeting with stakeholders
and touring the roads.
 He encouraged the community to support and participate in the public meeting to be held in May or June.
 He indicated the community’s efforts to initiate this study and it has been discussed during many previous meetings and
he is please the study is underway.
 He has personally committed to participate in the study along with Elizabeth Kuipers and Harry J. Yazzie.
 He identified several stakeholders that were in attendance and asked Mr. Powers to obtain their contact information. He
also asked for them to meet with our team to share their concerns about transportation.

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Kirk Arviso Comments
 Kirk was pleased to start this study and was grateful to have the same study team that recently completed the Fort
Defiance study that has lead to the implementation of a 2.5 mile street lighting project. He also encouraged community
participation in the study effort.

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Questions/Comments
 Speeding is out biggest concern; we need flashing signs near the school as people come down the hill.
 Another comment about speeding and lack of enforcement, consider lowering speed limit.
 Concern about the safety of children boarding buses. Bus pull-outs are needed.
 We need a 4-lane highway, when could that be built?
 Concern about livestock on or along the roads.
 Don Sneed thanked everyone for their comments and indicated we had captured them for consideration. We are not
going to respond at this time, but greatly appreciate the comments/concerns.
 The Chapter provided copies of previous studies, Jacobs will scan and return.
 Jacobs took photographs of the recently completed Sustainability Study presentation boards; the Chapter is still
searching for the accompanying report binder and will provide at a later date.

4

Meeting # 5 Summary (4:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
Ganado Health, School, Community Stakeholders

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Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
 We need a 4-lane highway (Echoed by all attendees).
 Speeding is a major concern, lack of enforcement. Speeds are in excess of 70 mph.
 Animals on the road is a concern.
 Warning signs are needed on US 191 entering Ganado from the south.
 Pedestrian access is needed along US 191 south of Ganado to provide access to the cemetery.
 School bus pull-outs are needed along SR 264.
 There are several crashes on SR 264 near the water tanks where the climbing lane ends. People speed to pass at the
end of the climbing lane.
 Fix the dip in the roadway, SR 264 between C426 and the wash.
 Access to houses along SR 264 is a safety concern.
 BIA 9201 and the access road to the Assisted Living Center needs to be paved.
 Better access to the rodeo grounds is needed.

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Congestion and Mobility Conditions
 Development at Burnside will be a major draw to neighboring communities and pass through tourists.
 Transit services are currently provided to 24 clients by Assisted Living Center, 3 vehicles from ADOT.

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Pedestrian, Bicycle and Transit
 The Ganado Wash Bridge needs pedestrian sidewalks.
 Consider moving the existing pedestrian overpass to Burnside to provide crossing of N-15.
 More trails are needed.
 There are more walkers and runners than bicyclists.
 Transit medical clients have homes off of SR 264, it is hard to make the left turns in heavy traffic.

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Future Conditions and Needs
 Increased traffic will dictate need for bus pull-outs for school children safety.
 Proposed Senior Center and Veterans building is planned just east of Ganado Wash Bridge on SR 264.
 Need more highway patrol personnel in Ganado area.
 Development at Burnside will happen.
 There is development planned behind the Chapter House.
 ADOT needs to expand the maintenance facilities in Ganado.
 Several existing trails were identified by the Chapter President as shown on the aerial map.
 Navajo Technical University is also planning a facility on the NE section of the SR 264/US 191 intersection.

Stakeholder Meetings concluded at 5:30 PM.
5

Holbrook District Follow-up Summary by Rick Powers

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Safety and Infrastructure Concerns
 The Ganado Wash Bridge project includes pedestrian walkways on both sides of the roadway (a 5’ sidewalk on the
north side and an 8’ sidewalk on the south side); construction is scheduled in the spring of 2016. The bridge will also be
widened to accommodate a new right turn-lane to the Hubble Trading Post; this will be a separate access from the
church.
 The Burnside-Fish Wash project will add 5’ shoulders on each side of the roadway and also includes pavement
rehabilitation, fence & cattle guard, ACFC, and striping. Construction scheduled for spring of 2016.

End of Stakeholder Summary Report

6

APPENDIX A: SIGN-IN SHEETS

1

APPENDIX B. NTTFI INVENTORY

Ganado/Burnside Area Traffic Circulation Study
Working Paper 1: Existing and Future Conditions