State weighs widening work on south-side stretch of I-10

While its sister stretches to the northwest have been widened and updated, the eastern stretch is still just two lanes each direction headed to and from Texas.

The state Department of Transportation is in the beginning phases of rectifying that, holding a public meeting Thursday to hear from drivers on how that stretch of road could best be improved.

The department is taking comments on two general proposals.

The first involves widening the interstate from the I-19 junction down to Arizona 83. From 83 to Wentworth Road, the project would add one lane, making it three in each direction. From Wentworth to Houghton roads, it would increase to four lanes. The stretch between Houghton and Valencia roads would expand to five lanes, before dropping back down to four.

And while it may seem counterintuitive to have fewer lanes in the thick of the city, that's where the second proposal comes in.

The agency is contemplating connecting I-10 to the Barraza-Aviation Parkway, which now ends at Golf Links Road. That presumably would siphon some of the pressure - perhaps as many as 50,000 vehicles per day - off Interstate 10 for folks looking to go to the downtown area as opposed to just passing through. It also would alleviate some of the pressure on north-south routes, particularly around South Tucson, that are older, more narrow arterials.

The department has two conceptual options mapped out.

One would use the existing Alvernon Way as the connection. The route is simple, and there's plenty of existing right of way. The downside is it would essentially take Alvernon out of the mix for local traffic.

The other route runs adjacent to the southwest border of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, east of Contractor's Way, and then runs down Swan Road. That would funnel traffic off the interstate sooner, but it's clearly a more complicated route, cutting across an industrial area that contains salvage yards, warehouses and storage facilities.

The department wants to hear from people in the affected area who might have concerns, including those about noise, access or environmental impacts.

It also wants to hear from drivers about which interchanges don't work well. For example, there's only half a mile between the Palo Verde and Alvernon interchanges, so traffic weaves in and out trying to merge and exit. Current guidelines call for at least one mile of space.

Michael Dawson, a consultant with EcoPlan Associates Inc., said Interstate 10 is functioning fairly well right now. On a grading system in which an A is the best service, that stretch is rated a B right now. But by 2040, traffic projections will essentially make the interstate a parking lot without intervention, given anticipated population expansion on the east side.

At this early stage, the study doesn't have the level of detail that would indicate which businesses would be affected or how much additional right of way would be required.

Another thing officials don't have immediately: a cost estimate. Or, for that matter, funding.

Nearly $20 million was set aside in the Regional Transportation Authority plan voters approved in 2006, but that covers only planning, design and maybe some right-of-way acquisition. Construction is a long way off.

But the planning has to start now if the project is to get under way, said spokeswoman Linda Ritter, noting that it takes years to finish environmental and design studies and acquire rights of way. She said the project will probably end up being built in phases, depending on which pieces are highest priority, as money becomes available.

Pima County Supervisor Ramón Valadez, whose district includes affected areas along I-10, said he's glad to see the segment getting attention.

"The projected growth in traffic, both in terms of growth here as well as traffic coming up from Mexico, shows there's going to be a clear need for some improvements," he said. "Clearly if not today, then in the near future."

Contact reporter Rhonda Bodfield at rbodfield@azstarnet.com or 573-4243.