Readers frequently ask Road Runner about Valencia Road.
It’s understandable readers have concerns, since large sections of this road have been neglected for years. Successive cracks that split the roadway make for a miles-long washboard driving.
It’s a big problem for the region, considering Valencia is the region’s longest urban thoroughfare, stretching more than 25 miles from Ryan Airfield in the west to the Pantano Wash in the east.
The road connects two interstates, I-19 and I-10, and Arizona State Route 86, also known as Ajo Way.
Valencia also serves as the main entry for visitors who come to the region through Tucson International Airport.
Fortunately, regional governments have recognized the need for improvements and some of that work has begun and other work is planned.
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Pima County, for instance, plans a $25 million widening project from Ajo Way to Wade Road. The work includes adding bike lanes, sidewalks and drainage improvements.
Another county project, the $20 million widening of Valencia from Wade to Mark Road, is underway.
Also under construction is a $37 million county project to widen Valencia from Alvernon Way to Wilmot Road. Intersection and drainage improvement work also has been done along the same section of road.
At the far east end of Valencia, the county and city are working on the de-annexation of a stretch of the road so the county can work with the developer of Rocking K Ranch to build a bridge over the Pantano Wash and extend Valencia into the planned community.
The plan would also add two more travel lanes to Valencia.
The city also plans a nearly three-mile resurfacing project on Valencia from 12th Avenue to Alvernon, possibly the roughest section of road.
The Regional Transportation Authority also has skin in Valencia Road.
Beginning next year, widening of Valencia to six lanes from Kolb Road east to Houghton Road will begin.
The RTA plans to spend $26 million and the county and city are in for another $9 million.
The widening of Valencia will continue west to Wilmot Road, which includes intersection improvements at Kolb.
The RTA is looking at adding an indirect left turn at Valencia and Kolb in addition to other intersection improvement designed to increase traffic movement at this congested crossroads.
Work here could start next year and is estimated to cost as much as $19 million.
Between Alvernon and Interstate 19, the RTA will fund $10 million in intersection improvements, beginning in the early 2020s.
The RTA alone plans to pour $94 million into roadway improvements on Valencia over the next decade.
A lot of this work is long overdue, for sure. But the good thing is it’s finally getting done.
Down the road
Pima County Department of Transportation plans to begin paving the off and on-ramps for Interstate 10 at Valencia Road, beginning Monday, Aug. 31.
Crews plan start with the westbound I-10 off-ramp and later the westbound I-10 on-ramp.
Each ramp will be closed for one day while paving activities occur.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2, and continuing Thursday, Sept. 3, crews plan to pave the eastbound on and off ramps.
Full day closures during the work also are planned during construction.
Speed limits through the construction zones will be set at 25 mph.
Pima County Department of Transportation this week will perform night work at the intersection of Oracle and Magee roads between 8:30 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Work includes curb cuts, milling, installation of traffic loops, paving and temporary striping.
There will be one lane of traffic in each direction during construction. Some restrictions may remain in place during daytime hours as well.
Traffic on Magee and Oracle roads will be shifted accordingly to accommodate construction activities.
Work is scheduled to run through Thursday.
