Study says congestion to increase

By Diane Saunders
Staff Writer
Published on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 12:40 PM MST

Three roadways in Safford are at capacity for handling traffic now, and two others are expected to be at capacity within five years, according to the Graham County Small Area Transportation Study.

Will Wright, Graham County planning and zoning director, said the purpose of the study was to examine road deficiencies and make recommendations for improvements.

Officials from the Arizona Department of Transportation and consultants from Parsons Brinkerhoff presented the results of the transportation study Thursday in the Graham County General Services Building.

Consultant Jennifer Love explains the Small Area Transportation Study to Pima residents Lon and Karen Griffin. Photo by Diane Saunders

County residents were also given a chance to look at maps and ask questions about the ADOT Alternative Route Study. The Courier will publish a story about that study in a future issue.

About two dozen area residents attended the open house meeting, which featured maps and traffic projections. Attendees could ask questions about the study and submit comments that will be considered when a regional plan is submitted to the state for approval.

Consultant Jennifer Love said the traffic projections were based on the existing networks of roads.

The roads that are at capacity are Eighth Street, Relation Street and Highway 70. In 2013, the traffic flow on Highway 70 will improve due to scheduled work; however, Eighth Avenue and First Avenue will be at capacity, according to the study.

Unless work is done to increase the traffic capacity on local streets and roads, several other thoroughfares will be over capacity by 2018, the study maps show. Those roads and streets include Swift Trail, Quail Trail, Cienega Lane and Stockton Road. The study also states that Lone Star Road will be at capacity by 2018.

The study identified traffic patterns, population areas, employment estimates and related issues, Wright said. The objective of the study is to aid in developing a guide to future planning for a variety of transportation modes.

Recommendations from the study will be incorporated into a regional funding plan.

According to statistics presented at the meeting, about 34,000 people live in the study area, and 10,000 of them are employed. Graham County’s biggest employers are Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, the Eastern Arizona College, the Mount Graham Regional Medical Center, the Safford School District and the Arizona State Prison-Safford.

Comments

33 comment(s)

    Lisa22 wrote on Feb 5, 2009 2:30 AM:

    " The information you have given is really useful.
    Lisa11 "

    cross rhodes wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:20 PM:

    " State of the Union, you said it correctly. And who was on the city council for those 10 years?? Always promising and never doing?

    Sometimes a little road work would be done just before an election.

    But don't credit Mr Long. Given the stakes in this past election, don't you think some direction came from those with something to loose?

    So why did the residents of safford have to go 8 million dollars in debt to fix something the previous long term members of the council never fixed? "

    State of the Union wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:19 PM:

    " Mr Long, is the only person within the last 10 years to make an honest effort in fixing our city streets. Not saying that he completed what he set out to do. But I can list off several roads that are repaved because of his work. "

    cross rhodes wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:12 AM:

    " State of what Union? you're on crack again pal. anyone who's lived here more than a few years knows that the roads have always been an issue!

    back when talley defeated green the first time he promised to repair the roads or don't you recall? you should. look in the Courier archives.

    Even Ragland that old seat warmer promised to fix the roads but didn't come through.

    huey simply raised taxes (went into $8 million in debt) to fix what should have been cared for within the budget each year. "

    State of the Union wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:34 AM:

    " Wasn't it ex Safford City Manager Huey P. Long who had put forth a considerable amount of effort to take care of the local roads within Saffords limits...? Another item that is lacking attention with his absence. "

    armchair engineer wrote on Aug 25, 2008 1:26 PM:

    " The use of the tracks can be leased from the AERR during non-freight times of the day and a street car could then run from the old SP station by IGA down to EAC and back during normal commuter times. One streetcar and a dual use agreement could provide a transportation answer for the valley. How far are the tracks from the swimming pool, library, downtown shopping, 20th Ave shopping and the college? "

    Wrong way wrote on Aug 22, 2008 11:30 AM:

    " The light rail is a great idea, but I think there are federal regulations about the use of a railroad that may get in the way. Something to look into though. "

    Jill R. wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:46 AM:

    " Armchair, I like that light rail idea. From the Safford library to EAC right by the Walmart is a infrequently used stretch of track. Why not put a streetcar on that route? "

    Wrong Way wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:27 AM:

    " Like I said these are ideas...... Wether or not they can be done is not up to me, but if they are not thrown out there they cant be looked at. "

    armchair engineer wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:17 AM:

    " Wrong Way, you've got some good ideas. I still thing 8th Street should be one way because there is no way to widen it beyond what it is now.

    and what about light rail from Lone Star to Pima? The railroad sure doesn't use that track all the time. "

    riverrat wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:29 PM:

    " I live north of the river and traffic is horrendous when the mine workers go to work and leave. It is down right dangerous at times. There are only two ways to Safford-Brice road...Eight avenue and Reay lane. Why not construct another road across the river...Take 20th or 14th or first avenue in Thatcher? What will happen when the county starts on the Safford Bridge? Where is the planning strategy there? "

    Mr. Furious wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:58 PM:

    " I dont know why you all are still talking about all this junk. The real story here is that Jennifer Love is HOT. "

    Road King ADOT wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:27 AM:

    " 26th street already goes out to 20th Avenue. There's no way you're going to get permission to extend Discovery Park Boulevard through the land to the west. Some of the same issues arise when you talk about extending 8th Avenue and 20th Avenue south, it's just not going to happen in you or your child's lifetime. Relation Street needs work and 8th Streeet is horrendous. The only problem is, if Safford buys up the houses on the north side of 8th Street and widens it, it will still be a death trap/ditch for a shoulder through Thatcher. "

    Wrong Way wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:18 AM:

    " They should also consider taking 8th avenue and 20th avenue all the way out to the Artesia area. That would relieve some of the congestion on 1st ave. And maybe taking Discovery Park Blvd straight out to the Daley Estates area. Another good idea for the Safford area is 20th Street through to 20th Avenue. Everyone in the Glenn Meadows Safford area has to use 14th Ave and then relation or 8th street to get to the west. This would provide another route. "

    Gunn wrote on Aug 17, 2008 7:48 AM:

    " The traffic on Relation Street is way over capacity, not to mention that the street a major travel route, still looks like an old west road, no side walks cubs etc. The good news is the City is spending all the street improvement money on the streets that don't need it. I'm sure someday they will get around to it, and when they do they will put large swells and dips at every intersetion for the water runoff instead of doing it properly. "

    Verbal Kint wrote on Aug 16, 2008 11:48 AM:

    " Hey Gus, you have some very whitty things to say about trains and skateboards and you always use such big words. You must be a very smart man. It sounds like you are the only one around with a plan and if we dont like it then we are not to bright. Im looking forward to the enlightening sentiment that you will retort. "

    Charles wrote on Aug 16, 2008 10:42 AM:

    " I don't care what you say, growth is about someone wanting to line their pockets with money! I live in a town that was 5000 people when I moved here and is now 20000 people. The quality of life has went down. I found Graham county about 7 years ago and wanted to move there after retirement. But it appears that greed has hit Graham county like everywhere else. "

    Wrong Way wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:54 AM:

    " One way street on 8th Street? That would not work, signal lights would work better. And I agree with the 1st Street project only it should start from 1st ave all the way through to the Old Wal-Mart intersection and also tie in with 20th ave. Another solution would be the widening of Discovery Park Blvd, and 20th avenue south of Relation Street. This would allow for more traffic to bypass 1st ave in Safford. "

    armchair engineer wrote on Aug 15, 2008 2:18 PM:

    " 8th Street should be made one way (west would do best) Then complete 1st Street from 5th Avenue all the way through to 20th Avenue north of 70. This provides for circulation and traffic congestion mitigation.

    why hasn't Stasiak thought of that? "

    Gus Hansen wrote on Aug 15, 2008 2:07 PM:

    " Verbal,
    I'm not advocating growth, but to not plan for it only makes the problems that you see in the Gila Valley today worse tomorrow. I love the Gila Valley. The problem with the small town/big town debates is that it makes everybody seem like they think they're "entitled"... I say push for the type of community you want to have, but don't act like you're the only stakeholder in the community. "

    Former Fan wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:34 PM:

    " EA courier you suck for not listing my comment. "

    Verbal Kint wrote on Aug 15, 2008 9:13 AM:

    " Hey Gus why dont you go live in New York or someother place. we dont need you to ruin what we have (had) here. Some people like small communities. "

    B.A. Barracas wrote on Aug 15, 2008 9:09 AM:

    " I dont care about the article, but Jennifer love is HOT. I just wanted to point that out. Thanks for listening. "

    cjg wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:03 PM:

    " First of all, the 4way stop mentality needs to end for this Valley. They only impede traffic flow and further exacerbate current traffic problems. Stop lights need to be put in at 8th Avenue and 8th Street in Safford and 1st Avenue and 8th Street in Thatcher. An alternate route (for trucks mine,mine traffic, etc. needs to be put north of Highway 70 and run parallel with it. I would say start at 1st Avenue in Safford, go North and then West and tie in with the traffic light that goes into the Bashas and Ashley furniture store. I "

    Gus Hansen wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:46 PM:

    " To "PimaTwo", are you suggesting that local/state governments should not plan for the future? If you're scoffing at my suggestion of future growth, look around you...
    To "togus", I quite understand that the first commenter's tone was sarcastic... and directed at some imagined motive in the story to keep the Gila Valley a "small community". This suggests he either has no comprehension of the article or that he has an axe to grind about the small town sentiment that some in the Gila Valley hold. Humor has nothing to do with it... "

    Jennifer Lover wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:59 PM:

    " Jennifer Love, I like you, you are very pretty. We should go out sometime. "

    Makes no sense wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:33 PM:

    " How can a road be "over capacity"? Does that mean cars will be driving next to each other in a single lane? "

    Casual Observation wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:53 AM:

    " Oh, here's another thought: Studies like this are only as good as the data inputs. So are these dire projections based on the housing growth in Safford that isn't happening?? "

    Casual Observation wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:52 AM:

    " ADOT and the County put on the dog and pony show. How odd it seems that of the 3 roads cited as "at capacity" 2 of them are in the City of Safford and, the third is a state highway through the City of Safford.

    The next two roads (2013) to be "at capacity" (8th and 1st Ave) are both yet again in the City of Safford (and one is a state highway)

    Q: Where are the BOS?
    Q: Where was Pete Stasiak and what's his plan to solve this matter? "

    to gus wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:15 AM:

    " Gus Hansen, I think that there may have been a bit of sarcasm in the comment written by “NO”. You should develop a sense of humor; unless you are mildly retarded then I apologize. "

    PimaTwo wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:07 PM:

    " Mr. Hansen
    "Future Growth" now that statement is truely funny. Fortune Tellimg for Graham County. It just don't get no gooder. Maddam Zorba is alive and well! "

    Gus Hansen wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:27 AM:

    " The first commenter needs to take a reading comprehension course, or knock some big chip off his/her shoulder.

    This article has nothing to do with people wanting the Gila Valley to remain small forever. It has everything to do with planning for expected future growth. "

    NO wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:07 AM:

    " No, not Graham County. We cant grow. We need to stay a small community forever and let all the good ole boys run everything. "

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