When the City announced the proposed widening of State Route 89 between the Phippen Roundabout and Willow Lake Road Roundabout earlier this summer, there was a great deal of discussion, in the form of letters to City Council, online, and the local media outlets. Much of the early reaction expressed concern about how widening of the roadway would affect the scenic Granite Dells rocks. It is important to understand all of the reasons why the City is considering this project, and the actual scope of the project.
The main and immediate reason for the project is the construction of sewer infrastructure improvements along SR89, between the two roundabouts. With the construction of the sewer line, the roadway will have to be rebuilt. While the focus of the project is upgrading sewer mains to centralize the wastewater treatment processes at the Airport Water Reclamation Facility, we also have the opportunity to improve access and safety at intersections, reduce traffic congestion, provide for more efficient evacuation routes, and improve the ride quality for motorists.
This 2.5-mile section of SR89 is the only remaining two-lane section of the roadway between SR69 and the northern border of Chino Valley. Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization (CYMPO) identified this as the highest priority expansion project for their 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. The average daily traffic count for this corridor is 18,429 vehicles per day and therefore, the Level of Service (LOS) rating for this section of SR89 is currently a E/F for handling traffic congestion during peak hours. This means traffic is congested, irregular, and approaching gridlock and traffic jams in the early morning and late afternoons. It’s projected that the LOS will deteriorate to a rating of F by 2030 making traffic even worse. Such traffic delays and congestion will cause the traveling public to seek alternate routes such as Willow Creek Road, Pioneer Parkway and Williamson Valley Road, contributing to increased traffic congestion and delays on those routes. With continued residential and commercial development in Deep Well Ranch, planned development by Arizona Eco Development along the Pioneer Parkway/SR 89A corridor and the entrance to the newly proposed nature center and Glassford Dells Regional Park impacting this corridor, traffic volumes will significantly increase in the years to come. We must prepare now for future transportation needs.
The greatest area of concern about this project so far is centered around a ¼ to ½ mile stretch of this project. The proposal includes four lanes, with a center turn lane or median. This means that a roadway of approximately 75 feet in width is needed. In the narrowest sections, where the dells come very close to the current roadway, we have about 45 feet of width. This means a total of about 15-18 feet of additional width on each side of the existing roadway is needed. While the exact widening method has not been established, modern rock removal measures include drilling and controlled blasting along the naturally occurring fracture lines within the rocks. This project will not require condemnation of private property, and there will be no loss of trails or recreational amenities.
The project is still in the early stages of development. There is no formal design in place, but a conceptual layout has been produced to illustrate the potential roadway improvements being considered. The city is committed to an open and transparent dialogue as we plan this project. There is a link on the city website or you can go directly to SR89Improvements.com, where citizens can see additional information and take a survey to share their opinions and concerns. There will also be a series of public meetings to review and approve plans and budgeting for project costs. We invite you to continue to stay informed, voice your concerns and attend future public meetings when they are scheduled, as we plan for Prescott’s future.
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6 thoughts on “Understanding the Facts about Widening SR89 – Mayor Phil Goode’s October Letter”
Phil Goode is a great mayor. He is involved in seeking the most cost effective solutions to all matters but always includes the comments and ideas of others. While Mayor Goode properly laid out the reasons for increasing the flow and safety of the 89 corridor through he Dells, I will hope Prescott and ADOT will look at a cost effective way that would eliminate the need for months of blasting but producing a doubling of the flow through the Dell narrows. Let the Mayor and others know how you feel at the upcoming open meeting October 4th.
there are some things worth slowing down for, before we destroy the place in order to cram more people in, pls stop and reconsider
You are so very right, the City of Prescott is being destroyed by the people in charge of managing it. To much growth. Shut the doors and for ever person who moves out allow one to move in. Managing growth is most important to me – and all of the people who use to know and enjoy our small town before all of this growth. Kudos Tim!!!
Mayor Goode, I moved here 30 years ago because Prescott was an untouched beautiful small town with lots of open space and friendly people. Over the years (especially the past five years) Prescott has changed in bad ways. Our streets and roads and the entire Prescott area was NOT built to handle all of the influx of people and cars. New buildings, homes, hotels, restaurants, apartments, etc. are being built and they have squeezed the old Prescott and it’s residents out. Too much growth and not enough water. It’s obvious that Prescott is money hungry and for every new structure the city and county gets money, money, money, money is all it’s about and to heck with the people and their wishes. No I don’t think you are doing a good job at all. I and many others are moving out of Prescott to get away from the congestion. Just like Biden letting all of the immigrants into our Country, you are letting too much growth happen and there is no way to close the barn door after the horses are all out. You don’t get my vote!!!
Kudos to you Robert, my feeling exactly. Prescott is no longer the quiet nice little town that it once was. Our officials are (have) become money hungry and don’t care about the people who live here. This in life change but this is one change that is bad for everyone. My hat is off to you.
Support CWAGAZ.org which has studied all aspects of ground and surface water in our area. Since 2000, the AZ Water Resource Department has reported the Prescott Active Management Area “PAMA” was pumping 11,000 acre feet of water “more” than Mother Nature was giving us in rain and snow.
In 2010 our 100 year average was 19.89 inches. The latest 10 year average is down to 16.53 inches while living units have more than doubled.
What part of lower water levels does Prescott and Prescott Valley not understand?
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