Tanque Verde Road Improvements: Catalina Highway to Houghton Road

Construction Progress Update July 31, 2011

Since our January update, I am sure you have noticed the contractor has made significant progress on the Tanque Verde Road Improvements: Catalina Highway to Houghton Road. We have finished the major construction work and are now undertaking utility adjustments, project signage, landscape, irrigation and final clean-up.

Probably more obvious to motorists, the final course of pavement (rubberized asphalt) was completed July 9th. As of the end of July, most of the sidewalk and all of the temporary striping has been completed. Traffic is now moving east and west on Tanque Verde Road with greatly reduced traffic control constraints. During August the contractor will complete the remaining finishing touches and landscape. By the end of August we expect to have most of the traffic control removed so traffic will have two lanes in each direction available. Please keep in mind, there will limited traffic control required in specific areas while landscape work is completed on the medians.
After August, the remaining item of work will be the permanent striping. This work will require traffic interruptions in specific locations for the better part of a week. Once this is done, all traffic control will be removed and the speed limit will be raised to permanent posted speed of 45 MPH, with the exception of the commercial area near Catalina Highway.

This area will have a posted speed of 35 MPH. While we have made every effort to keep it to a minimum, we also recognize the construction has caused inconvenience and disruption for local residents and motorists travelling through the area. The Project Team would like to convey our continuing appreciation for your cooperation and support during construction.

Click here to view a Powerpoint presentation describing the project from the Construction Kickoff Open House - March 24, 2010

The Regional Transportation Authority is the fiscal manager of the $2.1 billion plan approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006. The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation. A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board. For more information about the RTA plan, visit http://www.rtamobility.com/ or call (520) 770-9410.