I 10 Phoenix to California Border Multimodal Corridor Profile Study

I 10 Phoenix to California Border Multimodal Corridor Profile Study December 2012 Prepared by Arizona Department of Transportation 206 S. 17th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85007 In cooperation with U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration 1

Contents 1.0 Introduction... 3 2.0 Public Outreach... 3 2.1 Information E Newsletters... 3 2.2 Press Release... 3 2.3 Newspaper Display Notices... 3 2.4 Public Open House Meeting... 3 2.5 Website... 4 3.0 Public Comments... 4 3.1 Comments Received... 4 2

1.0 Introduction The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is conducting a long range planning study for Interstate 10 called the I 10 Multimodal Corridor Profile Study. The study area extends from downtown Phoenix (Central Avenue) to the Arizona/California border. The intent of the study is to take a comprehensive look at the transportation needs for the I 10 Corridor and consider a range of mobility options, including personal and commercial vehicles, rail and public transit, and air service. A public meeting was held on November 8, 2012 with the comment period from November 8 November 22, 2012. The following public meeting summary includes the information and presentations provided during the meeting, as well as a summation of comments received from participants and responses from the study team. 2.0 Public Outreach 2.1 Information E Newsletters The study team prepared and distributed an informational e newsletter introducing the study and inviting the public to attend the open house meeting on November 8, 2012. The newsletter was e mailed on October 18, 2012, to the 748 addresses contained in the study e mail list. A copy of the informational e newsletter is attached (Appendix A). 2.2 Press Release A press release announcing the November 8, 2012, public meeting was developed and sent on November 2 to area television and radio stations, and newspapers. A copy of the press release is attached (Appendix B). 2.3 Newspaper Display Notices Newspaper display notices announcing the public open house meeting were published in the Parker Pioneer and Quartzsite Times newspapers on October 31, 2012. The newspaper display notices are attached (Appendix C). 2.4 Public Open House Meeting One open house meeting was held on Thursday, November 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Quartzsite Town Hall in Quartzsite, 3

Arizona. The meeting included display boards showing the identified needs and deficiencies and projects programmed for construction. A copy of the display boards is attached (Appendix D). The purpose of the meeting was to present information on the study and provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and submit comments. Eleven members of the general public attended the public open house meeting. In addition, Quartzsite Mayor Foster and Councilperson Workman also were in attendance. 2.5 Website The study website was developed and the web address was published on all informational materials. Open house meeting information and project details were provided on the website at www.azdot.gov/i10corridorstudy.com. 3.0 Public Comments Comment forms were distributed to meeting attendees at the public open house meeting. Meeting attendees were encouraged to complete and submit comments to the study team by November 22, 2012. A total of four comment forms were returned at the public open house. One comment form was e mailed to the study team within the 30 day comment period. A copy of the comment form is attached (Appendix E). 3.1 Comments Received Of the comments received, the I 10 area projects listed that the public felt were most important included, (followed by the number of people who marked this on his or her comment sheet): Possible I 10 Projects in La Paz County Number of Respondents Interchange Improvements, West Quartzsite Road 4 Bridge Rehabilitation, West Quartzsite Traffic Interchange Underpass 3 La Paz County Regional Bus Service 2 Freight Improvements, Arizona and California Rail Spur to Quartzsite 2 New Airport and Air Cargo Facilities, Quartzsite Airport 2 Quartzsite Local Transit Circulator 2 Interchange Improvements, Dome Rock Road 1 Interchange Improvements, Riggles Avenue 1 Widen from 4 to 6 lanes, California Border to Maricopa County Border 1 4

The public submitted additional comments on the comment sheets regarding I 10 roadway improvements. These comments and associated ADOT responses are as follows. I 10 Roadway Issues in La Paz County The off ramp at Milepost 17 needs to be improved. In the winter, this ramp has a backup of traffic that is severe. The four way stop light on the north side of Exit 17 is useless since no one stops there for people exiting the Burger King. Expand Exit 17 ramps and overpass to match Exit 19 because the Exit 17 ramps are too small for the amount of truckers and increased traffic during the winter. The improvements should also include installing traffic lights at both ends of the Exit 17 overpass to regulate traffic. Traffic light5s on the north side at Exit 19 should also be installed. Ramp improvements on I 10 are needed. Exit 17 is a congested area in the summer and much worse in the winter. A wider interstate might save more lives. The study team should consider creating a Quartzsite bypass on I 10 from Exit 19 to north Highway 95 off Riggles Road. The speed limit should be reduced on I 10 westbound from Highway 60 to Gold Nugget Road. The study team should consider widening Exit 17. The adjacent overpass should be reinforced and a vehicle safety passing lane and a pedestrian walkway should be added. The study team should consider improving I 10 so that it is three lanes in each direction from the California border to Phoenix. Truckers should be restricted to using the right lane only and not taking up space in the center or left hand lanes. There could be a fast lane designated for hospital emergencies. 5

Public Transit A public commuter airline service at the Quartzsite Airport for business and pleasure would be appreciated. Creating this service would be better for traffic congestion than additional bus routes through the area. This could also increase tourist travel to our area. There should be bus routes between Phoenix and Quartzsite, Quartzsite to Yuma, and Los Angeles to Quartzsite. Economic Development There are a number of companies who would love to relocate to Quartzsite but are restricted because it takes too long for equipment or parts to be shipped here. Improving I 10 in this area would certainly help Arizona commerce. I have worked for years with the Town of Quartzsite and the Chamber of Commerce and many times have talked to corporations, who like the peaceful Quartzsite environment and fresh air. Quartzsite s potential is great. The sun shines here most of the time and there is abundant fresh air and water. General Comments Something that can limit traffic on Interstate 10 would be to advise outsiders not to drive into or out of Phoenix during rush hour. Please abandon planning and use of coarse rock for drainage areas. It is a safety issue. More people have been retiring to this area lately. The available fresh produce and other good foods are cheaper here than in nearby towns. General Comments (continued) 6

Quartzsite needs to have an emergency hospital that is open all hours during the week and should always have doctors available. If this were the case, there might be less deaths caused from vehicular accidents on I 10. People in critical condition could be flown from here in any direction to advanced trauma centers. Keep up the good work. Freeway planning for Quartzsite s anticipated growth is wise. After the PowerPoint presentation at the public open house, the meeting attendees had various comments and asked the study team numerous questions. These comments, questions, and associated ADOT responses are as follows. I 10 Roadway Issues in La Paz County ADOT needs to put a sign to warn motorists when approaching blood alley (the speaker said that this is an area on I 10 that is located west of Exit 31). There is a major issue there with vehicles losing control and rolling. If ADOT would put a closed sign on I 10 at Exit 81, this would limit the I 10 traffic. When there is an accident at the West Quartzsite interchange (exit 17), it creates a difficult situation for drivers to navigate the area. Something needs to be done to address this situation right away. On I 10, the traffic that uses Exit 17 does not flow well, and the problem gets even worse in January. Can ADOT construct a traffic signal at the intersection of Riggles Avenue and the Exit 19 off ramp? This needs to be done as soon as possible. 7

I 10 Roadway Issues in La Paz County (continued) I have been on the overpass at Exit 17 when trucks are passing. There seems to be too much vibration and it seems to be that this overpass is not sound for this heavier truck traffic. Has ADOT tested this to ensure its durability? When exiting I 10 on Exit 17, the turn heading toward the Love s Travel Stop is too tight for trucks. If Love s Travel Stop makes other improvements to their business, will they be responsible for roadway improvements due to increased truck traffic? The Quartzsite Avenue overpass was tested prior to use by the public and adheres to current ADOT standards. In the case where a business makes a physical improvement to their facility, which has a direct impact on traffic congestion levels on a public roadway, the business owner could be responsible for making additional public roadway improvements to address the added traffic demand. Other Roadway Issues in La Paz County Thank you for installing a traffic signal at the intersection of highways 72 and 95 (21 miles north of Quartzsite). I believe that we need another traffic signal at Tyson Street and Highway 95 in Quartzsite near the Quartzsite Fire and Rescue station. There is a major issue on Main Street where there is a four way stop sign near the Burger King and Carl s Junior. I was almost run over at this intersection since no one adheres to the stop signs. The extended semi truck trailers also contribute to the issue at this intersection. Highway 95 has two deep dips in the roadway near the Quartzsite Fire and Rescue station. I would like something to be done to make this section of the roadway smoother. 8

Proposed Quartzsite Roundabout The businesses located at the west end of Quartzsite must be allowed to provide input in the proposed roundabout decision. I am curious how many of the study team members here tonight have a commercial driver s license? I am concerned about the proposed roundabout and if the study team knows how difficult it is for larger trucks to drive through them. I have viewed the study website, which shows that there is funding, but no schematic details are shown. The roundabout has not been designed at this time. When and where were the meetings held to discuss the proposed roundabout? Which local officials were there? Are there any other alternatives besides the proposed roundabout? I am wondering how this proposed facility can route traffic adequately, especially with the increased area traffic in January. Earlier, a member of the study team mentioned that the proposed roundabout has local support. What is meant by this? It was mentioned that ADOT has a video that provides more information about roundabouts. Can I access this from my personal computer? If so, what is the website address? The meeting held was an initial project team meeting, a public meeting to discuss the roundabout will be held when the project is further along in design. Modern roundabouts have been used throughout Arizona and the local conditions and traffic will be considered in the design of any improvements. ADOT does not construct roundabouts without the local jurisdictions support. The Town of Quartzsite Council has indicated it is supportive of the appropriate design, including a modern roundabout. Information and videos regarding ADOT s modern roundabout can be accessed from the following website: http://www.azdot.gov/ccpartnerships/roundabou ts/index.asp. 9

Community Involvement Many times the Quartzsite general public does not feel that they are getting information about public projects. Some individuals are looking at creating a town newsletter to remedy the situation. The businesses located at the west end of Quartzsite are very important to the town. Their concerns and ideas must be considered. It seems that in the past, ADOT hasn t asked these business owners for their opinions and some roadway changes have been detrimental to them. Are the major businesses involved with ADOT s plans for traffic rerouting? I am curious as to their level of involvement. How much input do they have into this study versus ADOT constructing a safer roadway? The PowerPoint presentation shows that six other ADOT studies have been done recently in La Paz County [Town of Quartzsite General Plan (2003), Arizona Multimodal Freight Analysis Study (2007), Arizona Rural Transit Needs Study (2008), La Paz Transportation Planning Study (ADOT 2010), ADOT Statewide Transportation Planning Framework (2010), Statewide Transportation System Needs Assessment (2011)]. How many public meetings for these other studies were held in Quartzsite? (The meeting participant was informed that the La Paz Transportation Planning Study held a meeting at the Town of Quartzsite.) I 10 Bypass Is ADOT considering constructing a proposed Interstate 10 bypass around Quartzsite? ADOT once proposed an Interstate 10 bypass, which I believe would connect with I 10 at exit 19, and would be constructed near the fire station. What is the status of this? No such project is being considered at this time. 10

Traffic Counts When did the study team record the traffic counts? The traffic flow on Interstate 10 in this area is much different depending on the time of year. For example, traffic is much heavier in January than in July. What year were the traffic counts on Interstate 10 in this area done? If they were done two years ago, the results could be much different than the current conditions due to a change in population figures. The study recommendations may need to be changed if the traffic counts are not relevant to the current population. Traffic counts are reported as annual average daily traffic (AADT). AADT can be thought of as the average of a continuous, 365 day count. Traffic counts are reported in Working Paper #1. The traffic counts reported were from 2009, although the study also forecast short and longterm future traffic volumes. General Comments A month ago, I was driving on Interstate 10 west towards Yuma and I noticed an ADOT project that using coarse rock for drainage. Is this the only method being used? Can truck stops be expanded to alleviate issues with local traffic congestion? Are the truck stops responsible for any roadway improvements that may be needed due to higher truck volume caused by their businesses? There are various methods used to channel drainage, and reasons for their application. The issue referenced will be looked at by the ADOT Yuma District. In the case where a business makes a physical improvement to their facility, which has a direct impact on traffic congestion levels on a public roadway, the business owner could be responsible for making additional public roadway improvements to address the added traffic demand. 11