Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan

Working Paper 2: Future Conditions
August 2015

Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan

This report was funded in part through grants from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors,
who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data, and for the use or adaptation
of previously published material, presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the
official views or policies of the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Federal Highway
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. This report does not constitute a
standard, specification, or regulation. Trade or manufacturers’ names that may appear herein
are cited only because they are considered essential to the objectives of the report. The U.S.
government and the State of Arizona do not endorse products or manufacturers.

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

1. STUDY OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................... 1
Study Area Overview .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Study Process ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3

2. FUTURE SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS ............................................................................. 4
Planned Developments ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Population, Housing Unit, and Employment Forecasts ................................................................................................................. 5
Traffic Analysis Zones ................................................................................................................................................................... 6

3. FUTURE TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS ......................................................................... 11
State Route 260 Programmed Improvements ............................................................................................................................ 11
Committed Roadway Network ................................................................................................................................................... 11
Traffic Forecasting Methodology ................................................................................................................................................ 12
Future Traffic Conditions ............................................................................................................................................................ 12

4. FUTURE MULTIMODAL CONDITIONS ................................................................................ 17
Transit ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Bicycle and Pedestrian Needs ..................................................................................................................................................... 18

5. SUMAMRY OF FINDINGS .............................................................................................. 19

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LIST OF TABLES
Page
2.1: Projected Study Area Population and Housing Units (2015 - 2040) .............................................................................................. 5
2.2: Projected Study Area Employment (2015 – 2040) ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.1: Funded Roadway Improvement Projects .................................................................................................................................... 11
4.1: Persons Below Poverty Level and Persons with No Vehicles ....................................................................................................... 17

LIST OF FIGURES
Page
1.1: Study Area .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2: Study Process ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
2.1: Potential Growth Areas................................................................................................................................................................. 4
2.2: Projected 2025 Housing Unit Density............................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3: Projected 2040 Housing Unit Density............................................................................................................................................ 8
2.4: Projected 2025 Employment Density ............................................................................................................................................ 9
2.5: Projected 2040 Employment Density .......................................................................................................................................... 10
3.1: Scheduled State Route 260 Widening Project ............................................................................................................................. 11
3.2: 2025 No Build Level of Congestion.............................................................................................................................................. 15
3.3: 2040 No Build Level of Congestion.............................................................................................................................................. 16

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Study Overview

Chapter 1

Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
STUDY AREA OVERVIEW

Covering 673 square miles of land, the Verde Valley is located in the
geographic center of Arizona approximately 100
miles north of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Voted by the USA Weekend as “America’s Most
Beautiful Place”, the Verde Valley is situated
along the scenic Verde River and
incorporates portions of the
Coconino and Prescott National
Forest. Due to the region’s natural,
historical, and cultural attractions,
the region sustains a thriving tourist
industry. Connected by a network of
state and local roads, which work
together as a single interconnected
system, the Verde Valley includes
the following communities:
• Town of Camp Verde
• Town of Clarkdale
• City of Cottonwood
• Town of Jerome
• City of Sedona
• Yavapai-Apache Nation
•

Village of Oak Creek, Cornville, Lake Montezuma, and Verde Village

Purpose and Need
The primary purpose of this study is to develop a regionally cohesive, long-range transportation plan that serves as a guide
for Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization’s (VVTPO) participating agencies when making future land use and
multimodal transportation improvement project decisions. The need for this study stems directly from VVTPO member
jurisdiction’s need to determine existing system performance, increase economic vitality, improve community livability,
and enhance transportation conditions along the regional transportation routes.
The 2009 Verde Valley Multimodal Transportation Study (VVMTS) was originally developed to guide the implementation of
transportation improvements in the Verde Valley. Optimistic economic projections and the ability to obtain project
funding lead local agencies and the VVTPO to presume that the region would experience significant growth that would
require numerous transportation improvements. Due to the slowing of economic growth, dramatic changes in funding
availability, and updated local planning studies, it is essential that VVTPO member jurisdictions have an accurate
assessment of the performance of major roads in their respective jurisdictions as well as a planning tool for programming
the region’s transportation improvements.

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 1.1: Study Area

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
STUDY PROCESS

The development of a transportation plan is a technical, collaborative process that involves affected parties within the Verde Valley,
including local jurisdictions, regional agencies, stakeholders, and the general public. For this study, six key stages are followed in order
to ultimately develop a regionally cohesive, fiscally constrained improvement plan. Throughout the process, the study team will
maintain consistent contact with the TAC, and stakeholders and will include extensive public outreach efforts. Figure 1.2 illustrates the
process that is utilized for this study.
The first working paper, Working Paper 1: Existing Conditions, presented an inventory and analysis of current socioeconomic and
transportation conditions in the study area. The existing conditions inventory and analysis presented in Working Paper 1 assists in
identifying existing transportation system deficiencies, issues, and needs. The current conditions discussed in Working Paper 1 included:
land use, socioeconomic conditions, environmental concerns, roadway system characteristics and conditions, bridge conditions, crash
data analysis, traffic volumes and congestion levels, and alternative modes of transportation.
The purpose of this future conditions document is to forecast realistic population, housing, and employment growth and to determine
this growth’s effect on the area’s transportation system. This document will assess the potential strain on the study area’s transportation
system in the future horizon years if no transportation improvements are implemented. The future horizon years for the Verde Valley
Master Transportation Plan are 2025 and 2040. Figure 1.2 illustrates the process that is utilized for this study.
Figure 1.2: Study Process

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Future Socioeconomic Conditions

Chapter 2

Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
This section summarizes the future land use and socioeconomic conditions for the study area.

PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
Based on previous planning documents and input received from local officials, planned developments and potential
timeframes were identified. Additionally, private lands with the potential for development were also identified. Figure 2.1
illustrates planned development and potential growth areas.
 Major Residential Development Areas

Figure 2.1: Potential Growth Areas

o Verde Santa Fe North (southeast of SR
89A/Cornville Road)– master plan community that could
support 2,050 residences and 118 acres of commercial
development
o Mesquite Hills (southwest of
SR89A/Mingus Avenue)– 425 unit
residential subdivision
o Mountain Gate master plan
community (Clarkdale) –
buildout
o Grey Fox (Main Street
Cottonwood) – 99-unit
residential subdivision
o Potential annexation of
State Trust Land by the City
of Cottonwood northwest of
SR 89A/Cornville Road
 Major Commercial and
Industrial Growth Areas
o Yavapai-Apache Nation commercial development along SR
260
o SR 260 (Cherry Creek Road to Finnie Flat Road)
o SR 260 (South of SR 89A)
o SR 89A (Clarkdale Parkway to Black Hills Drive)
o Commercial and tourist lodging in Sedona Uptown and West Sedona
o Clarkdale Metals and Salt River Materials Group Cement Plant expansion
o 200 acres south of Sedona Wastewater Treatment Plant for mixed use development. The Dells Land use Work Group is
tasked with evaluating options and recommendation for land use at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
POPULATION, HOUSING UNIT, AND EMPLOYMENT FORECASTS
Forecasting future socioeconomic conditions allows planners to anticipate changes in future travel demand and to envision potential
solutions. Development of rational projections for population, housing units, and employment for each horizon year is vital to the
process of forecasting realistic traffic volumes. For this study, the Arizona State Demographer's Office population forecasts are being
utilized to estimate future population projects for the 10- and 25-year horizons. The State Demographer’s Office estimates that the
Verde Valley study area will have a population of 83,371 by 2025 and a population of 97,124 by 2040. Table 2.1 shows a tabular
summary of the historical and projected population and housing units in the study area.
Table 2.1: Projected Study Area Population and Housing Units (2015 – 2040)
2015 Estimates
2025 Estimates
2040 Estimates
Housing
Housing
Total Pop.
Total Pop.
Total Pop. Housing Units
Units
Units
Unincorporated Yavapai County
32,068
16,811
40,210
20,992
47,803
24,956
(Study Area Only)
Town of Camp Verde
11,191
4,864
12,789
5,559
14,497
6,301
Town of Clarkdale
4,251
2,136
5,023
2,524
5,848
2,939
City of Cottonwood
11,649
6,066
13,574
7,068
15,633
8,141
Town of Jerome
442
290
442
290
442
290
City of Sedona
10,312
6,545
11,333
7,193
12,901
8,189
Study Area
69,913
36,712
83,371
43,626
97,124
50,816
Source: Arizona Department of Administration – employment and Population Statistics

Figures 2.2 and 2.3 illustrate the projected housing unit densities for 2025 and 2040, respectively. As illustrated in the figures, the
highest population and housing unit densities will remain in Cottonwood, Sedona, and the Village of Oak Creek. Due to surrounding land
being owned by the US National Forest communities are limited to their growth area and many locations will have no housing units.

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Employment Forecasts
There are no known sources for future employment projects; however, utilizing planned development data provided by local
jurisdictions future employment projections can be developed. Currently, the study area has an employment to population ratio of 0.40 .
For this study, it is assumed that this ratio will remain constant for the future horizon years. Based on this assumption the study area is
expected to have a total employment of 33,817 by 2025 and an employment of 38,971 by 2040.
These total employment numbers were distributed into categories based on the type of services provided by the employer. For this
study, the following employment categories were utilized: retail, office, service, industrial, public, elementary/middle/high school,
college, lodging, and casino. Employment associated with tourism and services are assumed to continue to dominate employment
trends through 2040. Table 2.2 shows a tabular summary of the historical and projected employment within the study area. Figures 2.4
and 2.5 illustrate the projected housing unit densities for 2025 and 2040, respectively.
Table 2.2: Projected Study Area Employment (2015 – 2040)
2015
2025 Estimates

2040 Estimates
Total
Total Employ.
Pop.

Total Pop.

Total Employ.

Total Pop.

Total Employ.

32,068

5,413

40,210

6,371

47,803

7,531

11,191
4,251
11,649
442
10,312
69,913

4,869
1,205
9,112
295
8,649
29,543

12,789
5,023
13,574
442
11,333
83,371

5,564
1,437
10,618
322
9,505
33,817

14,497
5,848
15,633
442
12,901
97,124

6,307
1,690
12,228
395
10,820
38,971

Unincorporated Yavapai County (Study
Area Only)
Town of Camp Verde
Town of Clarkdale
City of Cottonwood
Town of Jerome
City of Sedona
Study Area

TRAFFIC ANALYSIS ZONES
For this study, a regional travel demand model was utilized to estimate current traffic volumes and to forecast future traffic conditions
for the 2025 and 2040 horizon years. Population, housing units, and employment categories were inventoried for each Traffic Analysis
Zones (TAZ) in the study area. TAZs are geographic subdivisions of the study area bounded by roads, political boundaries, natural and
man-made geographical constraints (such as rivers, washes, etc.). The model included a total of 206 TAZs within the study area.

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 2.2: Projeced 2025 Housing Unit Density

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 2.3: Projeced 2040 Housing Unit Density

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 2.4: Projeced 2025 Employment Density

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 2.5: Projeced 2040 Employment Density

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Future Transportation Conditions

Chapter 3

Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
This section presents future traffic volume projections and the analysis of traffic capacity deficiencies. Future traffic volume
projections are based on the 2025 and 2040 socioeconomic conditions and existing transportation system conditions.

STATE ROUTE 260 PROGRAMMED IMPROVEMENTS
ADOT is currently in the beginning phases of upgrading a nine-mile segment of SR 260 from a two-lane roadway to a fourlane, divided highway between Thousand Trails Road and I-17 in Camp Verde (mile posts 209.08-218.39). When
complete, SR 260 will be a continuous four-lane divided highway between I-17 and Cottonwood and will include seven
roundabouts. Key project elements include:
 Construction of seven full-access roundabout intersections at Thousand Trails Road, Coury Drive, MP 214, MP 215,
Cherry Creek Road, Horseshoe Bend Road, and Wilshire Drive.
 Each roundabout is approximately 35 feet larger in diameter than the Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Sedona
roundabouts and will allow a WB-67 truck (semi-trucks with 53 foot trailers) to stay in their dedicated lane while
traveling through the roundabout.
Figure 3.1: Scheduled State Route 260 Widening Project

Source: ADOT Multimodal Planning Division

COMMITTED ROADWAY NETWORK
Currently, several roadway projects have been funded and programmed for completion. To identify potential future traffic
capacity deficiencies, a roadway network of committed improvements were developed for analysis against projected 2025
and 2040 socioeconomic conditions. In the following traffic condition analysis section, this committed network is utilized
to assess how well the reigon’s roadway network performs in 2025 and 2040. Table 3.1 outlines the funded roadway
improvements included in the committed roadway network
Table 3.1: Funded Roadway Improvement Projects
Project Location
Improvement
SR 260 (Thousand Trails Road to I-17)
Widen to four-lanes with 7 roundabouts (see section above)

Mingus Avenue (Willard Street to 10th Street)

One lane each direction, center-turn lane, sidewalks, bike lanes

Mingus Avenue (10th Street to SR 89A)

One lane each direction, center-turn lane, sidewalks, bike lanes

SR 260/ Industrial Drive

Construct roundabout

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
TRAFFIC FORECASTING METHODOLOGY
The primary purpose of forecasting traffic volumes is to estimate the additional travel demand added to existing roadways and to
forecast congestion levels due to projected population and employment growth. In addition, this analysis provides valuable insight into
potential transportation solutions. A regional travel demand model was utilized to estimate future traffic conditions.
Travel demand models are utilized to estimate travel conditions based on population, employment, and roadway network
characteristics. These travel demand models utilize trip generations to estimate how many trips are created and attracted between
homes and activity centers. Steps to develop a travel demand model include:
 Develop a roadway network of committed improvements (network includes characteristics such as the number of lanes, posted
speed limits, functional classification, etc.)
 Allocate projected socioeconomic conditions and land use categories to specific Transportation Analysis Zones (TAZ)
 Generate existing vehicle trips based on land use conditions
 Distribute vehicle trips to TAZs
 Assign the vehicle trips to the street network
 Validate model utilizing existing traffic count data
A technical memo will be developed that describes the structure of the travel demand model, model parameters, model input and
output data, and model validation.

FUTURE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Estimations of traffic conditions were developed based on projected socioeconomic conditions presented in Chapter 2. The future
forecasts presented in this section represent traffic volumes for the committed roadway network (No-Build scenario). This analysis helps
evaluate how roadways perform if no roadway improvements are made for each of the 2025 and 2040horizon years. Similar to the
existing level of congestion, roadway performance is expressed in terms of Level of Service (LOS). In general for rural areas, LOS A and B
represent little to no congestion, or that the roadway is “below capacity”. Heavy congestion refers to a roadway that are nearing or
above the capacity levels of a roadway. Road segments that have the highest traffic volumes are not necessarily the most congested, as
some segments can carry higher amounts of traffic because they have more lanes.

Project 2025 Traffic Conditions
Figure 3.2 displays the projected 2025 daily traffic volumes and the congestion levels for the committed roadway network, if no other
roadway improvements are made (No-Build). Roadways that are reaching capacity levels and may experience congestion include:
 At or Above Capacity (LOS E & LOS F)
o SR 179 (Chapel Road to Ranger Road)
o SR 179 (at the I-17 interchange)
o Beaver Creek Road (South of I-17)
o Cornville Road (East of SR 89A)
o Jacks Canyon Road (East of SR 179)

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o Montezuma Castle Highway (North of Finnie Flat Road and
South of I-17)
o Montezuma Castle Highway/Main Street/Finnie Flat Road
o Lake Montezuma Avenue/Beaver Creek Road (I-17 to
Rimrock Airport)
o Verde Valley School Road (West of SR 179)

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 Near Capacity (LOS C & LOS D)
o I-17 (Middle Verde Road to Cornville Road)
o SR 89A: Cement Plant Road to Black Hills Drive, Main St to
SR 179
o SR 179: Beaverhead Flat Road to Wild Horse Mesa Drive,
Verde Valley School Road to Chapel Road
o SR 260: SR 89A to Western Drive, north of I-17
o Beaver Creek Road (East of Montezuma Lake Road)
o Bell Rock Boulevard (West of SR 179)
o Black Hills Drive
o Camino Real (south of SR 89A)
o Cliffside Trail
o Coffee Pot Road
o Cornville Road (Beaverhead Flat Road to east of SR 89A)
o Dry Creek Road

o Finnie Flat Road
o Fir Street (West of Camino Real)
o Jacks Canyon Road (East of SR 179)
o Main Street (Camp Verde)
o Main Street (Cottonwood): north of SR 89A
o Mingus Avenue: west of SR 89A, Main Street to Cornville
Road
o Montezuma Castle Hwy
o Sixth Street (Mingus Avenue to Cottonwood Drive)
o Twelfth Street (south of 89A)
o Montezuma Lake Road (East and West of Beaver Creek
Road)
o Page Springs Road

 Below Capacity (LOS A & LOS B): All other roadways perform at a LOS of B or greater

Project 2040 Traffic Conditions
Figure 3.3 displays the projected 2040 daily traffic volumes and the congestion levels for the committed roadway network, if no other
roadway improvements are made (No-Build). Roadways that are reaching capacity levels and may experience congestion include:
 At or Above Capacity (LOS E & LOS F)
o SR 89A (North of Black Hills Drive)
o SR 179 (Intersection with I-17)
o SR 179 (SR 89A to Bell Rock Blvd)
o Beaver Creek Road
o Black Hills Drive (west of SR 89A)
o Camino Real (south of Fir Street)
o Cornville Road (east of SR 89A)
o Dry Creek Road (north of SR 89A)
 Near Capacity (LOS C & LOS D)
o I-17: south of General Crook Trail, SR 260 to Cornville Road
o SR 89A: Clarkdale Parkway to Mingus Avenue, east of
Mingus Avenue to SR 179, north of SR 179
o SR 179: I-17 to Bell Rock Boulevard, south of SR 89A
o SR 260: west of Verde Park Drive, I-17 to SR 89A
o Aspen Way (south of SR 260)
o Bell Rock Blvd (west of SR 179)
o Black Hills Drive (west of Gale Avenue)
o Boot Hill Road

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o Jacks Canyon Road (east of SR 179)
o Lake Montezuma Avenue/Beaver Creek Road (I-17 to
Rimrock Airport)
o Montezuma Castle Highway (Portions of Roadway)
o Montezuma Castle Highway/Main Street/Finnie Flat Road
o Page Springs Road (north of Cornville Road)
o Verde Valley School Road (west of SR 179)

o Camino Real (south of SR 89A)
o Cliffside Trail
o Coffee Pot Drive
o Cornville Road (Tissaw Rd to Beaverhead Flat Road)
o Dry Creek Road
o Finnie Flat Road
o Fir Street (west of Camino Real)
o Forest Road 618
o Jacks Canyon Road (east of SR 179)

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
o Main Street (Camp Verde)
o Main Street (Cottonwood): north of SR 89A, west of
Willard Street
o Mingus Avenue: west of SR89A, Twelfth Street to SR 89A)
o Montezuma Castle Highway
o Montezuma Lake Road (South of Beaver Creek Road)
o Page Springs Road

o Sixth Street (Cottonwood): south of SR 89A to Mingus
Avenue
o Soldiers Pass Road
o Tissaw Road (south of Cornville Road)
o Twelfth Street (south of SR 89A)
o Verde Valley School Rd (west of SR 179)
o Yuma Road (east of SR89A)

 Below Capacity (LOS A & LOS B): All other roadways perform at a LOS of B or greater

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 3.2: 2025 Nobuild Level of Congestion

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Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Figure 3.3: 2040 Nobuild Level of Congestion

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Future Multimodal Conditions

Chapter 4

Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
This Chapter presents a summary of future multimodal conditions and needs for the Study Area based on projected future
socioeconomic conditions and stakeholder input.

TRANSIT
Successful transit systems open economic opportunities for local residents and businesses, link neighboring destinations,
and generally enhance the quality of life for residents and enhance economic vitality of rural communities. Transit services
in the Verde Valley region have been fairly successful and are well liked by the residents and businesses in the region.
Transit service within Verde Valley is currently provided by the Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT), Verde Lynx, and the
Yavapai-Apache Transit System. Several stakeholders expressed the need for additional transit services in the region to
support current and future demand.
Per the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 161, the number of
people needing passenger transportation is primarily based on the number of persons residing in households with
incomes below the poverty level and persons residing in households with no vehicles. Data was extracted from the 20092013 American Community Survey (ACS) for each of the population groups. According to the 2009-2013ACS, there are
currently 10,601 persons (17% of total population) residing in households with incomes below the poverty level and 2,113
persons (3.5% of total population) residing in households with no vehicles. Based on future population and housing unit
projections presented in Chapter 2, these estimates are expected to increase resulting in the need for additional transit
service. Table 4.1 summarizes the transit dependent population groups for current and future years. Comprehensive
Transit Feasibility and Transit Implementation studies are needed to identify exact transit needs in the region.
Table 4.1: Persons Below Poverty Level and Persons with No Vehicles
Year
Persons Below Poverty Level
Persons in Households with No Vehicles
Year 2015

10,601

2,113

Year 2025

13,086

2,612

Year 2040

15,197

3052

Summary of Transit Needs Identified by Stakeholders
Stakeholders provided the following feedback related to transit service needs and concerns:

• Cottonwood Area Transit is currently analyzing the demand for expansion of fixed transit service to Cornville and
extending Lynx service to the Village of Oak Creek.

• Yavapai-Apache Transit has proposed expansion of service to include service to Lake Montezuma.
• As development occurs on SR 260, safe bus pull-outs are needed. Stakeholders also commented that new commercial
developments along the route should be considered for usage as bus stop locations.

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• Stakeholders commented that the following areas should be evaluated for transit service:
o Cornville – fixed route service between Cottonwood and Cornville would enhance mobility choices to area residents as well as
provide a tourist connection between the Verde Valley Wine Trail and Cottonwood. As development occurs on Cornville Road, the
need for additional modal choices will increase.
o Lake Montezuma – regional transit service is needed between Lake Montezuma and commercial and medical services. Expansion
of the Yavapai-Apache Transit routes to include fixed stops in Lake Montezuma would provide area residents with access to
commercial and medical service.
o Village of Oak Creek – fixed route service between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek may mitigate traffic congestion on SR 179
and will provide additional modal choices between the two communities.
o Verde Lakes – transit service would be beneficial for area residents between Verde Lakes and shopping and medical services in
Cottonwood and Camp Verde.
o Camp Verde – as development occurs on SR 260, Finnie Flat Road, and Montezuma Castle Highway, the area may require
increased transit services to provide transportation choices to area residents.
o Sedona - a circulator route within Sedona would provide area residents and tourists with alternative methods of accessing
activity centers.

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN NEEDS
As residential and economic development occurs, the need for alternative modes of transportation will increase. As a major outdoor
recreational area in the State, increased economic development and tourism to the Verde Valley area may increase the need for
additional pedestrian trails, sidewalks, bike lanes, and trailheads. The addition of new sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use paths, trails and
trailheads may increase vehicular traffic on roadways and may require additional signage, parking areas, and roadway safety
improvements. The Verde Valley Regional Trails Concept Plan identified a network of trailheads and trails; however, the trail alignments
and trailhead locations were not authorized or approved when the report was completed.
Current and future bicycle and pedestrian facility deficiencies in the study area include:
 Limited sidewalks and bike lanes within Clarkdale, Sedona, Camp Verde, Village of Oak Creek, Verde Village, Lake Montezuma, and
Cornville.
 Lack of regional multiuse trails linking communities – particularly Camp Verde and the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Cornville Road and
Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Cottonwood.
 Development along Cornville Road will increase the need for additional sidewalk, bicycle, and trail connectivity between activity
centers from Cornville to Cottonwood.
 Limited street crossing opportunities particularly across high-volume roads such as SR 89A in Cottonwood and Clarkdale. As
residential and commercial development occurs on SR 89A, the need for safe pedestrian crossings will be needed.
 Increased traffic volumes, coupled with high vehicle speeds, on SR 260 may create unsafe pedestrian and bicycle usage. A buffered
multi-use path linking Cottonwood and Camp Verde would increase pedestrian safety along SR 260.
 Recreational trails for residents of Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Cornville, Lake Montezuma, and Verde Village.
 Regional trails that connect neighboring communities – particularly Lake Montezuma and Cornville, Camp Verde and Lake
Montezuma, Clarkdale and Jerome, Clarkdale and Cottonwood, and Verde Village, Cottonwood, and Cornville.

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Summary of Findings

Chapter 5

Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan
Following is a summary of findings from the future conditions analysis:
 Major growth area corridors within the region include: SR 260, SR 89A (Clarkdale to Cottonwood), Finnie Flat Road,
and east of Cottonwood. Population projections for the region estimate that the study area will have a population of
97,124 by 2040. Additionally, the region’s employment is expected to add additional jobs in tourism, industrial, and
commercial sectors. This increase in population and employment, coupled with additional tourist traffic, will
significantly affect the current roadway network’s performance.
 Traffic volumes on SR 179 from Verde Valley School Road to SR 89A are expected to steadily increase from 2015 to
2040. An alternative route connecting the Village of Oak Creek to West Sedona may alleviate congestion.
 As development occurs on Cornville Road, congestion levels increase causing the roadway to reach capacity.
Widening the roadway or constructing an alternative route to Sedona and Camp Verde may reduce congestion on the
roadway and improve safety.
 Projected residential growth in Lake Montezuma creates severe congestion issues by 2040. Alternative routes or
roadway improvements are needed to reduce congestion and improve motorist safety.
 Intersection improvements along SR 89A in Cottonwood and Sedona and on SR 260 in Cottonwood and Camp Verde
are needed. Improving the corridor intersections and establishing access management guidelines will improve
congestion and traffic circulation.
 SR 260 and SR 89A throughout the study area near capacity by 2040. Alternative routes and alternative modes of
transportation area needed to improve traffic circulation.
 Sidewalk and bike lane connectivity within communities is needed to allow residents and tourist to easily access
activity centers.
 Public transit options and other non-motorized modes of transportation need to be expanded to include residential
areas in Cornville, Lake Montezuma, Camp Verde, and the Village of Oak Creek.

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