Project Overview:

The Pima County Department of Transportation (PCDOT) is planning improvements to the Cortaro Farms Road/Magee Road corridor from Thornydale Road to Oracle Road. The purpose of this project is to improve current traffic conditions, meet future traffic needs and facilitate multi-modal transportation along approximately five miles of the Cortaro Farms Road/Magee Road corridor, which is designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Roadway by PCDOT.

This project is funded in part through the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Plan, which was approved by Pima County voters in May 2006, as well as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The first phase of the project is to study the corridor in order to develop preliminary design and conduct environmental analysis. Construction on the first stage of this project from Mona Lisa to La Canada is scheduled to begin late 2010/early 2011 in compliance with the RTA mandates.

Proposed Improvements consist of the following:

• Widening the roadway from two to four lanes.
• Installation of a raised center median.
• Providing bike lanes and sidewalks.
• Intersection work at Thornydale Road, Shannon Road, La Cholla Boulevard, La Canada Drive and Oracle Road to match or improve existing conditions.
• Realignment of Magee Road in the vicinity of La Cholla Boulevard in order to eliminate the current offset intersection.
• Drainage improvements throughout the corridor.
• New second bridge over the Cañada del Oro Wash.
• Landscaping throughout the corridor utilizing native plants.
• Public Art along the project corridor.

Environmental

The project Environmental Assessment report has been completed. Technical Discipline reports for Noise Analysis, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources and Hazardous Materials are included in the Environmental Assessment report. Individual Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers will be secured.

Current Status

• On September 8, 2009, the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the Environmental Assessment Report.
• Design of the project is continuing
• A Federal Public Meeting is planned for November 2009