Department of Transportation

22nd Street

Kino Parkway to Tucson Boulevard

Description

The Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) has begun a design study of the Kino Parkway and 22nd Street Intersection. The project was originally approved by the voters in the Pima County 1997 Transportation Bond Election and will be jointly funded by the City of Tucson and Pima County. The intersection is located in central Tucson and both Kino Parkway and 22nd Street are major arterials. The area studied for this project extends approximately one-half mile from the intersection of both roadways in all four directions.

The study team will be looking at all aspects of the intersection improvements including the possibility of widening 22nd Street and Kino Parkway, and constructing an overpass on Kino Parkway or 22nd Street. They will also be reviewing access to nearby businesses and neighborhoods, drainage, street lighting, sidewalks, landscaping, and public artwork options. The overall concept study and preliminary design of the intersection will take approximately one year to complete. Based on the conceptual schedule, planning will span mid-year 2006 to mid-year 2007, and design from mid-year 2007 to early 2009 with construction starting mid-year 2009.

TDOT has established a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide guidance, review, and evaluation of the general project design, reports and documents that will be developed by the study team. CAC members will also help share information and gather input about the project from businesses and neighborhood associations with which they are familiar. The CAC meets monthly. Future meeting dates are posted below as well as summaries of previous meetings.

If you have questions regarding the overall project, please contact TDOT Project Manager, Janice Cuaron at (520) 791-4371, or email her at janice.cuaron@tucsonaz.gov or contact Project Engineer Andy McGovern at (520) 791-4371, or e-mail him at andrew.mcgovern@tucsonaz.gov. If you have specific questions about the CAC or other posted public meetings, please call Angela Stith at (520) 885-9009.

Benefits

Through the expertise of the project team and involvement from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and public, the goals of the project are:

• To provide a more efficient and safe transportation facility
• To protect the integrity of the community
• To blend with the natural and manmade environment.

Three of Tucson’s most important arterial roadways – 22nd Street, Kino Parkway, and Barazza-Aviation Parkway – intersect to form a triangle. Approximately 100,000 vehicles pass through this triangle each day. The operations of the intersection are complicated by grade separations as well as the close proximity of the intersection of Cherrybell Stravenue at 22nd Street. The Kino intersection has the eighth longest delay time of any intersection in Tucson. Improvements to this intersection would improve access to adjacent parcels and circulation within the triangle, thereby enhancing safety, mobility and circulation. When combined with the existing Murphy’s Overpass and future improvements to the 22nd Street Overpass at the Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR), the Kino Parkway-22nd Street project would improve operations and safety on the three major corridors that form the triangle, thus benefiting the entire community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need this project?

Due to the high traffic volume, constructing an overpass at the intersection of Kino Parkway and 22nd Street would improve access to adjacent parcels and traffic circulation, as well as enhance safety.

When will this project be built?

Currently, the project is in the design phase. Initial schedule estimates construction to begin mid-year 2010

How is this project funded?

This project will use a combination of funds, consisting of 1997 Pima County Transportation Bonds and monies from the RTA half-cent sales tax.

How was the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) chosen?

Applications were mailed to addresses located in a half-mile radius around the project site , neighborhood association leadership in a one-mile radius, advertisement in the Sunday edition of the Arizona Daily Star, in addition to posting them on this website. Following the City of Tucson Roadway Development Guidelines, representatives from the City of Tucson, Ward 5 Council Office and the consulting design firm chose a mix of representatives that fit the quantity and boundary requirements.

If I am not a member of the CAC, how can I get involved?

The public can contact a CAC representative for updates or attend and observe the CAC meetings. There have been two open Please check the website for CAC meeting date postings.

What will the new design look like?

It is too early in the design process to present a recommended design, but proposed features for a typical high-volume arterial would consist of six travel lanes, a raised median with storage for turning vehicles, and an area on each side for sidewalks, utilities, and street furniture. We have also allotted space for bicycle traffic in outside travel lanes. It is anticipated that the interchange will be a grade-separated intersection (GSI) which means one roadway passes over another with ramps that connect each road.

Will there be bicycle lanes?

Several transit and bikeway improvements are anticipated in the project area as part of the May 2006 approved RTA plan. Bikeway improvements are planned for 22nd Street in the vicinity of Kino Parkway as well as pedestrian/utility area on both sides of the roadway.

Will there be artwork?

Yes, artwork is anticipated to be included in the design. The Tucson Pima Arts Council advertised a Call to Artists with Requests for Qualifications be submitted by August 3, 2006. On September 21, 2006 the selection of Barbara Grygutis of Barbara Grygutis Sculpture was announced.

Three Intersection Design Alignment Alternatives 02/19/2008

• Tight Diamond Alternative
• Partial Cloverleaf Alternative
• Single Point Urban Interchange Alternative

Three Intersection Design Alignment Alternatives 10/13/2006

• Tight Diamond Alternative
• Partial Cloverleaf Alternative
• Single Point Urban Interchange Alternative

Kino Pkwy To Tucson Blvd Widening Alternative

• Alternative 3A - 22nd St: Kino Parkway to Tucson Blvd

Documents

• Intersection Advanced Planning Report
• 22nd St, Kino to Tucson Blvd Final Advanced Planning Report
  

Technical Advisory Committee

• Technical Advisory Committee Membership
• 7/18/2006 Meeting Summary
• 7/12/2007 Meeting Summary
• 10/16/2007 Meeting Summary
• 11/13/2007 Meeting Summary
• 1/15/2008 Meeting Summary
• 2/19/2008 Meeting Summary

Citizens Advisory Commitee

Citizens Advisory Commitee Membership

• 6/8/2006 Meeting Summary
• 6/22/2006 Meeting Summary
• 7/19/2006 Meeting Summary
• 8/16/2006 Meeting Summary
• 9/20/2006 Meeting Summary
• 10/18/2006 Meeting Summary
• 2/27/2007 Meeting Summary
• 6/21/2007 Meeting Summary
• 7/25/2007 Meeting Summary
• 9/18/2007 Meeting Summary
• 12/5/2007 Revised Meeting Summary
• 1/30/2008 Meeting Summary
• 2/27/2008 Meeting Summary
• 4/2/2008 Meeting Summary
• 5/7/2008 Meeting Summary
• 6/4/2008 Meeting Summary