By Tom Howard
Vail Road, Colossal Cave/I-10 Project : This project is set to get under way in mid July. An update was provided by ADOT on June 13th, 2019. Once crews get started a major change to the traffic flow on I-10, Vail Road and SR 83 will begin. Updates to follow.
Rita, Kolb, Wilmot Traffic Signals: This project has been delayed due to the shortage of traffic signal poles. This shortage has affected projects nationwide. ADOT has informed me that work is scheduled to resume on 7/8/19. The poles should be in after the 4th of July. Lane restrictions will be in place while crews raise these poles into place.
Houghton & I-10: Traffic has been shifted to the southbound side of Houghton from the Union Pacific Railroad to the I-10 freeway. This work zone is a no passing zone. Numerous complaints have come in regarding motorist passing in this work zone. The speed limit is 25 m.p.h. in the work zone. Tucson police will be strictly enforcing this speed. Slow down, pay attention and stay alert. Crews will continue to work on drainage, culverts and the roadway surface.
Wilmot & I-10: Wilmot Road lane shift at I-10 begins June 18th.
Drivers on Wilmot road under I-10 will experience a lane shift for about one month while crews make repairs to the concrete slope under the bridge. Both north and southbound lanes will shift to the west side of the road to give crews room to work safely. The repairs begin Tuesday, June 18th. Motorists should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.
Valencia & Kolb: The final paving is being applied as of writing. Major traffic restrictions are in place to complete this project. Crews will be installing lighting, and traffic signals for the next few weeks. I would also expect intermittent lane closures for landscaping and final grade and shoulder adjustments. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
Question: Submitted by Steve C.
There is a horrible section of Valencia Road just east of where the Valencia/Kolb road construction project appears to be ending and I’m wondering if that part of the road is going to be paved? The section of road extends from the end of the construction to the new road (I believe Pantano) that SW Gas paved for their new LNG facility.
I just wondering if Pima County plans to pave this approximately 1,000-foot section of road or if they are just going to ignore it? They allowed Southwest Gas to pave just enough of Valencia at Pantano to put in a turn lane for their trucks but the horrible parts of the pavement are still there . . . in fact the new turn lane moved the worst part of the pavement to the right wheel track of eastbound traffic. It just seems a shame to not pave that section of road in conjunction with the $20 million Kolb/Valencia project. Any info you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Steve Christy spoke of “trust” in your district 4 update and I believe this fits! Thanks.
Answer: Steve, Thank You for your submission. According to the map, this is owned by Pima County. I have forwarded this email to district 4 to see if they can provide some answers. It seems that would be the right thing to do and match up to the new project. This would make the entire road look great. Let’s see what kind of response we get.