The Pima County Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and their contractor, Ashton Company, will be performing various construction activities as part of the Cortaro Farms Road/Magee Road: Thornydale Road to Oracle Road Improvement Project.  These activities include weekend work and a traffic detour on Magee Road.

WEEKEND WORK – February 11-12, 2012
Starting Friday, February 10, 2012, crews will be performing final prep work on the west leg of Magee Road and at the intersection of Magee Road and La Cholla Boulevard for a future traffic shift to the eastbound lanes of Magee Road.  This work will continue through the weekend of February 11-12, 2012, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  There will be heavy equipment moving through the area and both traffic control personnel and Pima County sheriff’s deputies will be on hand to direct motorists through the construction zone.

DETOUR – Magee Road: between Camino Maximillian and La Cholla Boulevard
Starting Tuesday, February 14, 2012, traffic on Magee Road between Camino Maximillian and La Cholla Boulevard will be detoured to the north of the current roadway for the installation of a box culvert.  This detour is expected to be in place until February 25, 2012.

All businesses will remain accessible during construction.

Please approach these areas with caution and obey all traffic control devices. In the event of mechanical failure or inclement weather, the schedule is subject to change.

For more information, contact Annabelle Valenzuela, Community Relations at (520) 740-6410 or visit the project website at http://roadprojects.pima.gov/CortaroMagee/.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the fiscal manager of the $2.1 billion plan approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006.  The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation.  A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board.  For more information at the RTA plan, visit www.RTAmobility.com or call (520) 770-0410.

Pima County, Ariz.(Nov. 21, 2011) – Why does the early morning sky look hazy, now that cooler weather is here?

Meteorologists call this phenomenon a temperature inversion. It’s what happens when early morning temperatures fall, trapping pollutants in the chilly air. Warm air above the cool air traps the cooler air below, and keeps it from rising.

That’s what causes the haze, as airborne pollutants hang closer to ground level. But as the sun rises and the cool air warms, the hazy air begins to rise, carrying airborne pollutants with it. The hazy air moves higher and higher, dispersing as it goes, and improving visibility.

This often yellowish-brownish haze occurs mostly in winter, when nights are longer and the air stays cool until the sun rises in the sky.

Tucson is surrounded by mountains, and they contribute to the winter inversions. The mountains cause an overnight downward flow of cold air onto the desert floor and that cold air can increase the strength and duration of these morning temperature inversions.

What this means is that air quality can be poorer in winter as pollutants from motor vehicles, industry and fireplaces remain trapped longer in the air we breathe.

People can help reduce winter air pollution levels by driving less often, limiting idling our vehicles to a minute or less, and reducing our use of fireplaces.

Fireplaces are inefficient sources of heat. When you have the option, choose natural gas, electric or solar-powered heat or a wood stove certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

To reduce the use of polluting fossil fuels, carpool or take the bus if you can, and do more than one errand while you’re out, to reduce the number of trips you make. And, if you can, drive a vehicle powered by an alternate energy source, such as electricity.

For more on local air pollution levels in Tucson, including particulates, ozone and carbon monoxide readings, go to www.AirInfoNow.org.  Also, call Pima County’s Department of Environmental Quality air pollution hotline: (520) 882-4AIR or (520) 882-4347.

Beth Gorman

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, at 5 a.m., the Pima County Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority contractor Ashton Company will be shifting  traffic through the intersection of La Cholla Boulevard and westbound Magee Road.

Northbound and southbound traffic on La Cholla will be shifted to the west side of the intersection through to the newly constructed lanes on the west side of La Cholla.  There will be one lane of travel in each direction.

Temporary traffic signals will be installed on the west side of the intersection to facilitate the new detour.

All businesses will remain accessible during construction.

Please approach the area with caution and obey all traffic control devices. In the event of mechanical failure or inclement weather, the schedule is subject to change.

These restrictions will remain in effect until fall of 2011.

For more information, contact Julie C. Simon, Program Coordinator at (520) 740-6410 or visit the project website at http://roadprojects.pima.gov/CortaroMagee/.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the fiscal manager of the $2.1 billion plan approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006.  The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation.  A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board.  For more information at the RTA plan, visit www.RTAmobility.com or call (520) 770-0410

Pima County, Ariz. – Pima County, the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority are pleased to announce that the uniquely designed and recently constructed I-19 East Frontage Road from Continental Road to Canoa Road in Green Valley was ranked second on Roads&Bridges magazine’s Top 10 Road Projects in the Unites States for 2011.

The project was ranked ahead of several larger projects due to its complexity and the benefits it provided to the community.

At Continental Road, the proximity of the two-way frontage road to the I-19 off ramp created major safety concerns and delays to drivers.  The design team, led by Psomas, analyzed several alternatives for the interchange at Continental Road and ultimately recommended an innovative Braided Ramp solution to address combining the I-19 northbound on and off ramps and the east frontage road into a single intersection with Continental Road.

The frontage road also included two new bridges over washes and the use of a state-of-the-art micropile foundation system for widening the I-19 bridge over Continental Road.  The project, completed by Borderland Inc., in February 2011, reduced delays for Green Valley residents from several minutes to a few seconds and significantly improved safety.

“Previous studies had failed to identify a solution to the constraints at the intersection of Continental Road with the I-19’s northbound ramp and the two-way east frontage road,” said Alejandro Angel, Vice President, Transportation/Public Works, at Psomas.  “Our approach relied on the ingenuity of our engineers, cooperation from Pima County, ADOT, FHWA, and the valuable input from the Green Valley public to develop a solution that addressed the safety and traffic flow concerns.  We believe this braided ramp approach can be successfully implemented at similarly challenging locations across Arizona and in other states.”

“The construction of the Continental Road/I-19 east bound frontage road project only became possible after much review and discussion of the proposed construction sequence,” said Toby Allen, President of Borderland.  “With the valuable assistance from the Pima County Department of Transportation, Psomas, ADOT and the Green Valley residents organization, we were able to complete this complicated, multi-phased project with minimal impact to the public. This highly functional and aesthetically pleasing traffic interchange is an accomplishment the entire team should be proud of.”

The frontage road project is one of 35 roadway projects in the $2.1 billion RTA plan approved by voters in May 2006. To date, other roadway project completions include the Twin Peaks Interchange and Road in Marana; Sahuarita Road, from I-19 to La Villita in Sahuarita; the Houghton and Old Vail intersection, a component of the Houghton road project; La Cholla, Ruthrauff to River Road, and La Canada, Ina to Calle Concordia.  In total, the RTA has completed 447 projects in the multi-modal plan, including transit, safety, and environmental and economic vitality improvements.

“The new roadway projects not only are functional, they look great,” said RTA Executive Director Gary Hayes.  “The frontage road project in Green Valley addressed several challenges and we are pleased with the success of the results and the national recognition this project is receiving.”

“This project was a success only because all of the stakeholders partnered together and used an integrated approach to understand the ultimate goal: to construct the roadway with minimal disturbance to the traveling public, within budget, and completed on time,” said Pima County Director of Transportation Priscilla Cornelio.

The Regional Transportation Authority is the fiscal manager of the $2.1 billion plan approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006.  The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation. A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board. For more information about the RTA plan, visit  www.RTAmobility.com or call (520) 770-9410.

Pima County, Ariz. – On Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 at 9 a.m., the Pima County Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority will host a dedication ceremony marking the completion of the La Cholla Boulevard Ruthrauff Road to River Road Improvement Project. The ceremony will be at the northwest corner of La Cholla Blvd and Curtis Road.

The program includes local leaders, including Dist. 3 Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Transportation Director Priscilla Cornelio and the president of the Flowing Wells Coalition, Ellie Towne.

The La Cholla Boulevard Improvement Project was approved in 2006 by Pima County voters as part of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) transportation plan.
The Pima County Department of Transportation, along with Eagle Rock Excavating and the design team of HDR, Engineering Inc., completed this project in July 2011. The cost of construction was $19 million.

The project includes expansion of  the roadway to six lanes, paved shoulders for bicycles, and sidewalks which have been connected to the Rillito River Park Path.
Drainage improvements include installation of a large storm drain from Ruthrauff Road to the Rillito River as well as curbs and storm drains for the roadway.

Also, at the Rillito River, a 360-foot long six-lane bridge was constructed featuring art designed by Vicki Scuri Siteworks.

The project includes intersection improvements at La Cholla/Curtis Road and at La Cholla/Ruthrauff Road, including dual left-turn lanes for southbound traffic on La Cholla Boulevard. And, transit was improved with the construction of five bus pullouts.

Pima County, Ariz. – (Aug. 22, 2011) Starting Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at 6 a.m., Metro Water and its contractor will begin installing a new main water line at the intersection of North Tuscany Drive and Magee Road.

As part of the project, North Tuscany Drive at Magee Road will be closed to local traffic from Aug. 29 through Sept. 13, 2011. Tuscany Drive will be accessible through Como Drive.

Motorists should expect slow travel and delays. All businesses in the area will remain accessible during construction. Pima County’s Transportation Department asks that everyone approach the area with caution and obey all traffic control devices.

In the event of mechanical failure or inclement weather, the work schedule may change.

Pima County, Ariz. (Aug. 19) – The Pima County Department of Transportation will repair erosion to Redington Road from Milepost 18 to 19, beginning Monday Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011. The work will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Railing will be installed into the slope on the side of the road. Also, wire baskets and rocks will be placed for road stabilization.

Motorists are asked to take alternate routes while the work is being performed. Electronic message boards are in place to warn motorists of the road work ahead.

Pima County, Ariz. (Aug. 18, 2011) - The intersection of La Canada at Hardy Road and Overton is closed until 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18.

Crews are paving the intersection. Motorists will be detoured to alternate routes. Please be cautious when driving in this area.

Pima County, Ariz. (Aug. 12, 2011) - Drivers will face a traffic-control signal change on Monday, Aug. 15 , that will remain in place while crews construct the northern section of  Magee Road and La Cholla Boulevard.

The work is being done by the Pima County Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Authority and contractor The Ashton Company.  The change means there will be a three-way stop at eastbound Magee at La Cholla. Traffic approaching the intersection must stop and then proceed with caution.

The current southbound lane closures in place on La Cholla Boulevard between Magee Road and Foothill Malls Drive will remain in effect during construction. And traffic on westbound Magee will be reduced to two travel lanes, one in each direction.

Another big change: All left-turn lanes will be restricted during this phase of construction. This traffic control will remain in place until late fall 2011.

Motorists should expect delays and are reminded to obey the 25 mph speed limit through the construction zone. All businesses will remain accessible to road traffic during construction.

In the event of mechanical failure or inclement weather, the schedule is subject to change.

For more information, visit the project website at http://roadprojects.pima.gov/CortaroMagee/.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the fiscal manager of the $2.1 billion plan approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006.  The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation.  A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board.  For more information, visit www.RTAmobility.com or call (520) 770-0410