Anticipation of substantial commercial-industrial projects, coupled with already announced plans for major residential developments, have prompted the Arizona Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the City of Prescott, to move ahead with widening State Route 89 at the north edge of Prescott.
Though two distinct projects, each directly relates to improving traffic flow and vehicular accessibility to SR 89, the Prescott City Airport and its allied businesses, and Pioneer Parkway and SR 89A.
Each budget is independent from the other, but the combined amount is estimated to be $18.5 million.
The widening of SR 89 from Deep Well Ranch intersection just north of the airport to 89A/Pioneer Parkway is budgeted at $15 million. Those funds will come from ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration.
The widening of SR 89 south from 89A/Pioneer Park to a soon to be constructed roundabout near Phippen Museum will cost about $3.5 million.
Both projects will begin in early 2017, ADOT and City officials said.
Highway 89 to Deep Well Ranch Road
ADOT engineers explained the road widening process during an information session at the Centennial Center at Antelope Hills Golf Course on Oct. 18.
Alvin Stump, ADOT northwest district engineer, and his colleagues used electronic visuals and large maps to illustrate explanations of what the road widening would involve.
Stump said requests for bids have not yet been issued, but they soon will be. He also said construction would likely start in early 2017. The total project will take 12 to 15 months and be done sometime in the late spring 2018.
“We’ve been reviewing the need for widening this road for several years. We know from our studies that the current two-lane road west of the Antelope Hills Golf Course that passes some small businesses across the street needs to be widened to a four-lane divided highway with appropriate turn lanes and other safety features,” said Stump.
He said current traffic on the road already exceeds what should reasonably be expected, and that with all the projected residential, commercial and industrial growth anticipated in the near future, it is critical that the road be widened to accommodate future needs.
Already, a factor in adding even more traffic to the road is that the Prescott Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a preliminary plat for a development to be called Antelope Crossing. It has the potential for 255 home lots on 48 acres between the newly aligned Willow Creek Road and SR 89 just south of the Deep Well Ranch Roundabout.
“It’s a major safety issue for those living and working in the area and for those who drive that road,” he said.
The road design includes several features:
- The speed limit will be from 40 to 55 MPH.
- Special attention will be directed at appropriate turn lanes at intersections.
- A roundabout will be created just west of what is now Perkins Drive and a side road to be completed called James Lane to provide better and safer access for those entering or leaving the Antelope Hills Golf Course community.
- “Sound walls” to reduce and diminish traffic noise.
- “Quiet pavement,” a specially engineered road surface that reduces traffic noise, is under consideration.
- Additional widening under the SR 89A overpass will accommodate left-turn movements in both directions.
Additional details about specific features of the four-lane road were also provided by ADOT staffers Tricia Lewis, senior community relations officer; and Ivan Racic, air and noise planner.
All construction will meet or exceed city, state and federal standards, said City of Prescott Development Manager Stephen A. Orosz. “The city and ADOT will be collaborating routinely on this road widening effort.”
Phippen Museum to Pioneer Parkway
Details about the widening of SR 89 from the Pioneer Parkway/89A intersection to directly west of the Phippen Museum were announced Oct. 19 – the day after ADOT revealed its expansion plans for SR 89.
Prescott Public Works Director Henry Hash said the construction project would go out for bid in December, with work to start in early 2017.
ADOT engineer Andy Roth noted that the two widening projects would somewhat parallel each other, even though they will be independently managed.
The SR 89/Phippen Museum project has drawn attention because of the proposed roundabout. It is estimated to cost $1 million of the total $3.5 million project. However, a portion of that cost will be paid by the developer of Walden Ranch, a recently approved residential housing development to be located northeast of Phippen Museum.
The 227-acre property will be sub-divided into 215 lots, with 85 of those acres to be designated as “open space,” according to details on the Walden Ranch website. Development plans include creating trails to connect the property to the Peavine Trail and the Constellation Trail, both popular hiking paths for locals and visitors.
The SR 89/Phippen Museum project is expected to take about a year to complete. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
For more information, visit azdot.gov/docs/defaultsource/projects/sr-89-to-deep-well-ranch.
Photo by Ray Newton
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