PHOENIX — A new study commissioned by the state says a proposed bypass for Interstate 10 that would divert long-distance traffic around the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas appears to be needed and is technically feasible.
But the study for the Arizona Department of Transportation acknowledges there’s extensive opposition to some possible routes. Also, the 250-mile project would be costly and doesn’t have a funding source, according to the study.
The study conducted by San Francisco-based URS Corp. and another firm is being submitted to the state Transportation Board for discussion and possible action at a meeting Friday in Tucson.
The department released the report in advance of the meeting in response to a public records request by The Associated Press.
I-10 is both an east-west route for long-distance truckers and other cross-country travelers and a major connector between the state’s two largest metro areas. It also bisects fast-growing Pinal County, a fast-developing area sandwiched between Phoenix and Tucson.
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I-10 is already being widened to four lanes in each direction through Tucson but there isn’t room to add even more lanes and the new capacity won’t be enough to handle future local and long-distance needs, including truck traffic, the study stated.
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