Settle in, enjoy and have fun reading our column this month and thanks for being such loyal and great readers.
Sandy: Well, Tom, we are back again and the topic this month is very timely and to say the least, extremely controversial. This month, I would like to use our column to inform our readers of the facts about the proposed work on Hwy 89 through the Dells.
Tom: Great use of the space! This topic, like most controversial topics, has had rumors, falsehoods and facts all mixed together, which makes it extremely hard for folks to discern what is real.
Sandy: Let’s start with the basic facts. The work along Hwy 89 must be done to add an effluent water line and to upgrade an existing line along with sewer improvements.
Tom: The city goal is to take the old Sundog sewer treatment plant offline and only have one sewer treatment plant near the airport where all our sewage is treated.
Sandy: To centralize, the city will add a new effluent line and convert the existing effluent line from a pressurized line to a gravity sewer line.
Tom: All of this along with installing a new pressurized, or force main, effluent line. There will also be a new storage tank constructed on the north side of the entrance into Watson Lake Park.
Sandy: This work will be performed within the existing roadbed of Hwy 89 and of course, with any roadwork projects, there will be necessary lane closures as the work is performed.
Tom: Maybe you could put your traffic control skill set to work and make a few extra bucks at the same time!
Sandy: LOL, thanks, but I stay busy keeping up with the contractors in the area. My day as a certified traffic control person on Willow Lake is a day I will never forget.
Tom: OK. Back to the facts. The sewer work is not intended to take more right of way than Hwy 89 has currently.
Sandy: Correct. That doesn’t mean there won’t be areas where the underground excavation encounters rock that may require blasting.
Tom: Well, I can see under the ground as well as our readers can. So there really is no way to know for sure.
Sandy: This part of the improvement project really does not have much controversy. The part that does is where the city is basically considering making some traffic upgrades while the workers are there, generally reducing the cost of upgrades at a later time.
Tom: The traffic concerns involve a couple of facets. The most obvious is the road width. This 2.5-mile section is the only remaining two-lane stretch of Hwy 89 from north of Chino Valley to Hwy 69.
Sandy: As I understand the issue, the concern is the growth that is happening in the northern parts of Prescott and Chino Valley will generate sufficient traffic increases to cause the current bottleneck to become a traffic hardship in the future.
Tom: That “clog” is already manifesting itself. In a recent, very informative, article by Prescott Mayor Goode, he told us that the current level of service is graded as an E and on occasion, an F.
Sandy: I have experienced occasional slow downs through that area, but we all know that traffic is not going to decrease or go away.
Tom: There are a few safety issues in the narrow section that could be addressed in a widening scenario.
Sandy: That would be the intersections where traffic from the residential neighborhoods and Granite gate exits onto Hwy 89. Those would be East Granite Dells Road, East Granite Gardens Dr., Boulder Creek Lane, Kring Dr., and Lillian Lane.
Tom: Currently, people trying to access southbound lanes when exiting from the east side or northbound from the west side have difficulty because of traffic.
Sandy: I understand sight lines are also somewhat compromised. Safety should be a key concern for everyone. There is also the potential for a bike lane.
Tom: I agree. To help solve the issues, the current width of the road would have to be increased by 15 to 18 feet.
Sandy: That would require removing some of the rocks and boulders that currently line a stretch of the highway.
Tom: According to Prescott Public Works, that stretch is about a quarter of a mile long.
Sandy: There is no question that removing some of the boulders will alter the look somewhat, however my excavation peeps tell me that the old way of blasting and removing has been refined with recent techniques that call for removing rock along existing fissure lines, which reduces scarring, and that relocation of the removed stone can be utilized nearby to enhance the area aesthetics.
Tom: Interesting. I was told that no planning has been done yet for any widening. Prescott Public Works Director Gwen Rowitsch has been quite emphatic that information from the public is needed before any planning process is commenced.
Sandy: The city has started a survey that is geared to collect thoughts and reactions. Any potential project will be guided by the results of the survey. There is a website, www.sr89improvements.com, where folks can access a virtual meeting room that contains tons of information. The survey will close Nov. 10, 2023.
Tom: People can also fill out the survey online on that site as well. If you are a luddite like me, you can pick up a hard copy of the survey at any city office, Public Works on Virginia St., City Hall at 201 N. Montezuma or “old City Hall” at 201 N. Cortez St. It is important to be honest when filling this information out. There is even a space to add what you think might be included in the design.
Sandy: Obtaining public input from all perspectives is always a challenge. Most people don’t want to be bothered. But we all have opinions and those are important. I hope our readers take the survey and share their opinions with the city. The more information received, the better the outcome will be.
Tom: It is important to remember that the construction schedule for the effluent line has yet to be determined and the decision on whether to proceed with the road widening to coincide with the underground infrastructure will ultimately be up to Prescott City Council.
Sandy: And just another side note, after the survey closes Nov. 10, 2023, the survey results and potential next-step options will be presented to Prescott City Council in a study session on Dec. 12, 2023. No vote will take place at that meeting, and as far as I know, a date for the vote has yet to be determined. QCBN
Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 am on KQNA 1130 am/99.9 fm/95/5fm or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and her wingman Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director YCCA 928-778-0040 or ycca@ycca.org.
Tom Reilly, local community partner,
Architect, previous owner of Renovations.
Leave a Reply