Proposed Interstate 11 corridor Arizona impact study is ready for public eyes
Apr 11, 2019, 2:03 PM
(Screenshot)
(Screenshot)
PHOENIX – After three years of study, an environmental impact report on the long-discussed Interstate 11 that would cut through metro Phoenix on its way to Reno, Nevada, is ready for public review.
The Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration said the draft was a milestone for the proposed 280-mile corridor. The recommended road would stretch from Nogales to Wickenburg and follow State Route 189, Interstates 19, 8 and 10, then U.S. 60 and 93.
A year ago, the state agency committed another $155 million to the interstate to spread over five years. ADOT had already planned to pour a half-billion dollars into the project over 20 years.
Arizona and Nevada are already linked by U.S. 93 but it is hoped the new freeway would take north-south travel to Canada and Mexico off Interstate 5 in the West Coast states.
The Tier 1 draft said corridor could be 2,000 feet wide and go in and out of Santa Cruz, Pima, Pinal, Maricopa and Yavapai counties. At some points, the road could narrow to 400 feet across.
The study took in account light pollution, visual quality and exiting quality of landscape, among several factors.
ADOT said in a statement, “An alignment determining where I-11 could be built would be decided during a future phase of design and environmental studies. Currently, however, there are no plans or funding available to initiate these Tier 2 studies.”
The draft of Tier 1 is available online.
Comments can be submitted online or in person until May 31.
Hearings in and around the Valley open to residents were scheduled for:
-
April 29
5 to 8 p.m.
Palo Verde Energy Education Center
600 N. Airport Road, Buckeye -
April 30
4 to 7 p.m.
Wickenburg Community Center
160 N. Valentine St., Wickenburg -
May 1
5 to 8 p.m.
Holiday Inn
777 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande
