Q: When will the corridor be built?
A: Completing the Location/Design Concept Report and the associated Environmental Impact Statement are the second step in the highway development process. The Design Concept Study is conducted to further refine the recommendations made from the earlier Corridor Location Study. Once the Design Concept Study is complete, the State Transportation Board considers whether to add the project to the 5-year program. The final steps include designing the roadway and acquiring the land (or right of way) to build the roadway. At this point, construction can now begin on the new roadway. This process could take 10 to 20 years or longer as shown in the project timeline figure.
Q: The current estimate for completing construction of a proposed realignment of SR 95 is 15 to 20 Years, why would this process take so long?
A: ADOT is proceeding with the assumption that much of the costs for this proposed realignment would be covered by funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), referred to as "Federal Funds". In order to use these funds the project must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which requires a comprehensive environmental process be followed to assess any and all environmental concerns associated with the project. This process is envisioned to be completed within the next 2-3 years.
Following the NEPA process, and assuming the proposed project is not determined to have adverse environmental impacts, the project would be allowed to be funded with Federal Funds. However, given the number of projects in the State of Arizona expected to compete for future Federal Funds there could be a period of time that this project will be placed on hold.
Once funding is established, the project would be designed and then constructed. The construction would most likely need to be done in several phases with construction advancing several miles at a time. The culmination of all of these events is currently estimated to extend over a 10 to 20 year time period.
Q: If I can't attend the public meetings, where can I direct my comments/questions and obtain more information?
A: You have a couple options; your first option is to complete the survey questions on our Public Feedback page. If you wish to speak or write to someone directly, you may send your questions to the team managers shown on the Project Team page. If you wish to email questions to our study team, please forward them to our Study Team Manager. They will respond to you directly.
Q: How can I be added to the mailing list?
A: If you are interested in receiving updates on the SR 95 Realignment Study, please complete the information on our Public Feedback page.
Q: How will I be notified of the final recommendations for the corridor?
A: This website will be updated with information as the study moves along. We will also be mailing flyers to everyone periodically on our mailing list. If you would like to become part of our mailing list by completing the information on our Public Feedback page.
Q: How will the relocation of SR 95 affect the businesses that are currently located along the existing SR 95 route?
A: Bullhead City and Laughlin are regional destinations. The businesses on SR 95 primarily serve the communities of Bullhead City and Laughlin. They also serve the travelers that go through the communities on SR 95. With the relocation of SR 95, these businesses will still serve the local community, and those that travel SR 95 to these communities will still stay at lodges and eat at restaurants as they have in the past. The goal is to make SR 95 an access controlled facility, which means that no direct access from the highway will be available to anyone except at interchanges located 3 to 5 miles apart. ADOT would restrict any businesses from gaining any access directly from the new highway, attempting to avoid the congestion currently experienced on the current SR 95.
Q: How does this project differ from the improvements to the Vanderslice route being proposed by Mohave County
A: The Vanderslice alignment and design concept study represents a separate project led by Mohave County for the purpose of conveying its vision for a contiguous facility between Courtwright Road and Bullhead Parkway, to improve traffic flow and circulation within the greater Fort Mohave and Mohave Valley areas and service traffic destined to/from these areas. ADOT and FHWA currently have no role in the study of improvements associated with the Vanderslice corridor. Mohave County recently selected a consultant to conduct the Vanderslice study and have not yet initiated public and agency scoping efforts. The community will likely be notified and/or see public notices in the local media when they begin their scoping efforts for that project. Meanwhile, throughout our study process, we will be coordinating with Mohave County and will forward any comments we receive on the Vanderslice corridor to their attention.
Q: Will our taxes be raised to pay for this new roadway (i.e. how will this project be funded)?
A: Local taxes are not used to pay for the State highway system. Only gas taxes are used. ADOT uses the gas taxes and funding provided by the Federal Highway Administration to fund these roadway improvements. As funds are limited, the State Transportation Board which has regional representation across the State, works with ADOT's District Engineers to define the priorities of how the funding is allocated.
Q: Will Hazardous or Nuclear Waste be allowed to travel on the proposed realignment of SR 95?
A: The purpose of this proposed realignment is to better connect the Cities along the Colorado River and movement of Hazardous Materials is not envisioned as a function of this highway corridor. However, the final decisions pertaining to the transportation of Hazardous Materials is determined by the US Nuclear Regulatory Agency and US Department of Transportation, which have specific regulations for the movement of this type of cargo.
Do you have questions for the project team? Send us your comments at our Public Feedback page. |
