Despite a national economic downturn and a state budget crunch, the Arizona Department of Transportation is seeking public input in planning transportation routes throughout the state.

ADOT officials met with about 40 Graham County residents Nov. 10 to review three scenarios that included future multimodal transportation options, growth principles and land use. The scenarios addressed needs projected for 2050.

The need for funding future projects was briefly addressed by Rich Garr, director of the Southeast Arizona Governments Organization. “We need money to build stuff, or the state will come to a crawl,” Garr said.

The attendees, which included private citizens and local officials, were divided into smaller groups to discuss the scenarios and report back to the entire group with their reactions to the scenarios.

The comments and suggestions made by the group in Safford and groups at similar meetings throughout Arizona will be used to help formulate future transportation recommendations that will be released in spring 2009.

Phil Rhea, local AARP driving instructor, said most Gila Valley senior citizens are concerned about short-term transportation needs, such as making Highway 191 a four-lane highway from Jobi’s Market to Highway 366.

Other suggestions the Safford group compiled included the following:

• A center turn lane on Highway 191.

• Making the proposed Safford/Thatcher bypass a complete loop — or beltway — to lessen traffic congestion in town.

• Widen Highway 70 to four lanes from Globe to Safford.

• Construct a frontage road bordering Highway 70 to accommodate farm vehicles east and west of Safford.

• Offer bus service to Tucson and Phoenix from Safford.

• Offer bus service to Safford from Clifton and Duncan in Greenlee County.

• Build additional multi-use trails from Safford and Thatcher to the Eastern Arizona College.