The Pima County Board of Supervisors has awarded the contract to reconstruct 0.6 miles of Romero Road from Roger Road to Wetmore Road.  It includes the addition of sidewalks and paved shoulders/bike lanes connecting residential areas to Homer Davis Elementary School, Flowing Wells Community Center, and Flowing Wells branch of the Pima County library.

Select Development and Construction, Inc., will replace and reconstruct the existing two-lane road to a new three-lane roadway with paved shoulders/bicycle lanes, concrete curbs and sidewalks, and drainage improvements.  There will also be two art walls at the school entrance with tiles designed and created by the students.  The project also includes 2^nd grade pedestrian education and 4^th grade bicycle education for the students.

“The students have been asking for safer ways to get to school for years,” said Matt Zoll, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager.  The original grant application for Transportation Enhancement funds included letters from kids like Maha who wrote, “First, I think we can have a better and flatter street, so the kids can be safer on Romero Rd. Then, I think you should build a sidewalk on the dirt spot by the houses.”

Other students pointed out that the crosswalk needed to be fixed and that when it rained, children were walking through muddy puddles. The project addresses the concerns of children, parents, and drivers.  All of the work will take place within the existing transportation corridor on Romero Road.

“We are so pleased to award this contract and make Romero Road safer for all users, especially children going to school,” said Supervisor Sharon Bronson, District 3. “Families will have an easier time walking or bicycling to school, the library, or the community center. The bike lanes also connect to existing bike lanes on Wetmore Road, Ruthrauff Road, and Romero Road in the City of Tucson.

Money for the project comes from several federal funding sources (70%), Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) sales tax (20%), and County Highway Users Revenue Funds (10%). The total project bid is $994,011.24. Federal Transportation Enhancement funds in the amount of $463,384 will be used towards the construction and construction administration of the sidewalks and bike lanes portion of the work.

The construction kick off open house will take place on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a presentation at 6:15 p.m. The event will be at the Homer Davis Elementary School Cafeteria, 4250 North Romero Road, Tucson.

Pima County, Arizona – You don’t have to be a resident of the Flowing Wells area to attend the Senior Health Fair on Thursday, Nov. 17, or any of the other programs at the Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Road.

Visit the center between 10 a.m. and noon on Nov. 17 to get free healthy living information and health screenings.  Watch or participate in an exercise class demonstration.  Learn about some community clubs and groups, and enjoy some light refreshments.

The ACES (A Club for Every Senior) Senior Club offers group activities, recreational programs and volunteer opportunities to Pima County adults age 50 and older.  ACES provides social interaction through games, luncheons with entertainment, day and overnight trips, theatre presentations, movies and the opportunity to take part in community service projects.

The Ellie Towne Center also conducts exercise classes for seniors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and afternoons.  It has a computer lab, and its senior nutrition program offers older adults nutritious meals and an opportunity to dine with others.

The center has something for everyone and is open to new programming ideas.  If we don’t have it now, mention your idea.

For more information, go to http://www.pima.gov/nrpr/centers/ellie_fw/index.htm