US 93: Wickenburg to Santa Maria River

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SR 89 to Wickenburg Interim Bypass

Wickenburg   (SR 89) to Santa Maria River

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Wickenburg Bypass

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Location and Time: Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 1:00 p.m.

Hassayampa River Preserve Conference Room

Participants:

1. Study Progress Update

The meeting was opened and moderated by the study project manager, Bert Bertleson. Bert began by welcoming Doug Price to the Steering Committee as the local school district representative. Following, Bert provided an update of the study progress:

• Issues and concerns that are presented in this meeting will become part of a Scoping Report following the agency and public scoping meetings, and the ADOT technical field review of the project area. The information summarized in the Scoping Report will be used in the development and evaluation of the corridors studied.
• The Resident / Business / Visitor Survey Report prepared by Behavior Research Center has been finalized and distributed. Two copies of the report are available for public review at the Town Hall.
• The results of the BRC report along with study information will be published in the Wickenburg Sun this week.
• An Origin & Destination survey was conducted earlier this month. Preliminary results will be provided to Sverdrup in the next two or three weeks.
• An Economic Analysis will begin upon completion of the O & D study results.
• Drainage surveys, cultural resource overviews and geologic overviews are beginning this month for both corridors being considered.
• Agency and Public Scoping Meetings are scheduled for June 3, 1999.

A general discussion on the effects of the NAFTA/CanaMex traffic ensued. The study team had not acquired enough detailed information to provide projected increases to the US 93 traffic at this time. Information will continue to be collected for an evaluation of how the projected commercial traffic will effect the traffic projections. Current traffic volumes in town approach 15,000 vehicles per day (of which 5000 is estimated to be local traffic). Projections in 20 years approach 20,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day. As the study progresses, detailed traffic counts and updated projections will be made and passed on to the committee.

2. Bypass Corridor Validation Status

Berwyn presented a series of graphics that presented the corridor criteria and constraints that were used to identify the current northeast and southwest bypass corridors. A copy of the slides for the validation process are attached to the minutes.

The committee recommended that the validation slides be presented to the public to better explain how the 34 alignments originally considered in the Phase 1 evaluation was narrowed down to the two finalist corridors presented. In addition, it was suggested that the initial alignments be superimposed on top of the constraints presented. It would better display how the many alternatives were eliminated from further consideration.

3. Interim Improvement Alternatives

Sverdrup is preparing a feasibility study to determine if possible interim improvement projects could be constructed in the downtown area to help relieve some of the congestion until the ultimate bypass alignment could be constructed. An exhibit was presented to the committee showing 11 possible alignments through the downtown area. Alternatives began south of Calamity Wash and tied back into existing US 93 as far north as the APS substation.

Each alternative was discussed individually as they appeared on the screen. As a result of the discussions, several alternatives were discontinued from further consideration. A summary of the discussion follows:

Alternative	Issues	Action
Alternative 1	Damage to Trailer Park / Rodeo Grounds Long crossing results in environmental impacts Long bridge structure Bypasses recently improved business corridor	Discontinue
Alternative 2	Damage to Trailer Park / Rodeo Grounds Bridge crossing located in wide river section Realignment returns to US 93 near existing residential subdivision Alt 4 provides similar opportunities with less conflicts	Discontinue
Alternative 3	Conflicts with Power and Sols Washes Conflicts with several businesses east of existing bridge Realignment returns to US 93 near existing residential subdivision Alt 4 provides similar opportunities with less conflicts	Discontinue
Alternative 4	Conflicts with several businesses east of existing bridge Realignment returns to US 93 near existing residential subdivision Optimum of the new bridge options across the river	Continue Evaluation
Alternative 5	Wide crossing of river through dense vegetation (riparian) Locates highway adjacent to school	Questionable
Alternative 6	Splits the new highway on both sides of the existing school Creates two one-way streets with a great deal of separation between them Long, skewed river crossing through dense vegetation (riparian)	Discontinue
Alternative 7	Reuse of existing bridge Bypasses congested downtown and avoids relocating any existing businesses	Continue Evaluation
Alternative 8	Pair of one-way roads may be confusing to tourists Creates two one-way streets with a great deal of separation between them	Discontinue
Alternative 9	Improvements cut through school facility Long, skewed crossing of the river through dense vegetation (riparian)	Discontinue
Alternative 10	Limited improvements Cannot fit four lanes of travel in downtown area Removes street parking	Continue Evaluation
Alternative 11	Longest of the alternatives considered Highly visible due to significant earthwork on sidehills New roadway through multiple neighborhoods Damage to Trailer Park / Rodeo Grounds Bridge crossing located in wide river section	Discontinue

4. Public Information / Scoping Meeting

Bert inquired if there were any specific suggestions the committee could provide as the Study Team prepares for the June 3 Agency and Public Scoping Meetings. The following were offered:

• Although we may not make a formal presentation of the interim improvements, a brief summary of what the study team will be looking at would be beneficial.
• Provide a thorough explanation of how the 34 alternatives were consolidated down to 2 corridors. Consider providing an evaluation matrix for each alternative eliminated.
• Provide copies of the published reports to the public library for easy review.
• Explain why the improvements could not be located through town. Why are the bypass corridors located so far removed from the existing roadway.
• Provide 3-D computer simulations of the alignment.

5. McDOT Presentation

 
Michael Sabatini of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation presented an overview of the County’s Capital Improvements programming. Included with the presentation were handouts of the Executive Summaries for the Transportation System Plan and County Comprehensive Plan.

ACTION ITEMS:

• Provide summaries of the Origin & Destination Survey and the status of the Economic Study
• Sverdrup to continue researching information regarding the CANAMEX corridor task force.
• Provide committee members with color copy of map showing all of the project constraints for the bypass corridors.

Next Meeting:

The next steering committee meeting was scheduled for:

July 28, 1999 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Hassayampa River Preserve