Project Overview

In 1985, Maricopa County voters approved funding for a Regional Freeway System, which included a South Mountain Freeway connecting Interstate 10 south of Phoenix with Interstate 10 in the West Valley. The State Transportation Board approved an alignment for the South Mountain Freeway in 1988, running east and west along Pecos Road and then turning north between 55th and 63rd avenues. A state-level Environmental Assessment was completed in 1988.

Due in part to a funding shortfall, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) was unable to develop 76 miles of planned freeways, including the South Mountain segment. The unfunded corridor, however, remained part of the planned Regional Freeway System.

In 2001, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) began an updated study identified as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine if such a freeway is still needed, where it should be located and potential environmental, social and economic effects.

Much has changed in the study area since completion of the 1988 Environmental Assessment. Therefore, ADOT and the FHWA are conducting a new, more rigorous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and will prepare a Design Concept Report. The study process began in July 2001 with an examination of the local and regional transportation needs and all reasonable ways to meet these growing needs.

1988 Environmental Assessment

As presented in the 1988 Environmental Assessment, a freeway would connect Interstate 10 south of Phoenix with Interstate 10 in the West Valley, following an east-west alignment along Pecos Road, through the western tip of South Mountain Park, then north to Interstate 10 between 55th and 63rd avenues. The north-south leg of the freeway would pass near the community of Laveen and through agricultural lands within the city of Phoenix. After it passes South Mountain Park and turns to the east, the freeway would pass through the Ahwatukee Foothills community, following an alignment along Pecos Road.

The current study process is evaluating the 1988 route, as well as a full range of alternative routes and the consequences of taking no action on the proposed roadway.

South Mountain EIS

The first step in preparing the EIS was to determine whether there is a need for transportation improvement in the corridor. Based on recent traffic analysis and public comment received since July 2001, there appears to be a purpose and need to continue the study and complete the EIS. Analysis of conservative expectations for population growth, future traffic and mobility needs in the Valley shows that it is only prudent to assume that additional transportation options will be required.

The EIS study process will examine the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of a variety of alternatives – including the 1988 route and the no-build option – along with ways to lessen those impacts. Additional alternatives identified by local community groups, organizations and interested citizens are also being considered by the project team. At meetings held in 2003, the public was shown the alternatives advanced for further study and shared questions, comments and concerns with members of the study team.

A key component of the study process includes extensive public involvement and ongoing opportunities for community members to express opinions and concerns. Local residents, community leaders, governmental agencies and elected officials continue to be involved in the decision-making process. The project team will also continue to meet with village planning committees, service organizations, homeowners associations, other neighborhood groups throughout the study area, and the Gila River Indian Community. In addition, a South Mountain Citizens Advisory Team (CAT) composed of a diverse group of organizations effected by the South Mountain Transportation Corridor has been established and meets regularly.

The goal of the process is to receive extensive, high-quality public input on how to meet the region's existing and future transportation needs in accordance with the Regional Transportation Plan.

The goal of this study is to determine the best way to serve the transportation and mobility needs of people in the entire Phoenix metropolitan region – the fastest-growing community in the nation

Why does this process take so long?

This is a complex and important research project. Engineers, researchers and environmental scientists must determine the impacts of new information that is discovered throughout the process. This process is one of discovery.

For example, new census data and updated traffic projections have changed the way that the Valley is expected to look in 25 years. Therefore, much of the data for this project must be updated to include the best available, most accurate information.

Chronology

A brief chronology of the South Mountain Transportation Corridor, from its inception to the present.

• 1983 The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) prepares planning studies for the Phoenix metropolitan area that identify corridors for an integrated freeway network. The South Mountain Transportation Corridor is defined as a roughly two-mile wide corridor from I-10 near 51st Avenue, around South Mountain, to I-10 near Chandler Boulevard.
  
• 1985 Maricopa County voters approve a half-cent sales tax to fund construction of the MAG Regional Freeway System, including a 22-mile freeway connecting I-10 in Chandler with I-10 in west Phoenix.
  
• 1988 A Location/Design Concept Report and a state-level Environmental Assessment are completed for the South Mountain Freeway, designating an alignment along Pecos Road and the Gila River Indian Community border and north to I-10 between 55th and 63rd avenues. This refined corridor is adopted by the State Transportation Board.
  
• 1994 Due to a funding shortfall, ADOT identifies 76 miles of planned freeways as "unfunded segments" and later drops some of those segments from the system. The South Mountain Transportation Corridor is designated for potential development as a toll road.
  
• 1996 A consortium of private companies proposes to build the South Mountain Freeway as a toll road. The consortium would later withdraw its proposal, saying the project was not financially feasible. The South Mountain Transportation Corridor remains a part of the MAG Regional Freeway System but, designated as "unfunded."
  
• 1999 ADOT announces plans to accelerate completion of the entire Regional Freeway System by seven years. The acceleration plan includes an unspecified portion of the South Mountain Transportation Corridor, which remains largely unfunded.
  
• 2000 In anticipation of initial construction of the South Mountain Freeway, the City of Phoenix conducts a local study of Ahwatukee Foothills area transportation needs that includes an assessment of freeway options.
  
• 2001 ADOT begins preparation of a new Location/Design Concept Report and EIS to examine a broad range of alternatives to the 1988 South Mountain Freeway concept.
  
• Summer/Fall 2001 The South Mountain Corridor Team collects base information and issues on the transportation corridor.
  
• Fall/Winter 2001 South Mountain Corridor Team determines that there is a purpose and need to continue the EIS study.
  
• Fall 2003 ADOT, FHWA, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers concur on the Alternatives Screening. Three build alternatives plus options are carried forward into the EIS for more detailed analysis.
  
• Fall 2004 Voters approved funding MAG's Regional Transportation Plan – including South Mountain Freeway.
  
• June 2006 ADOT announces the W55 (55th Avenue) Alternative as the “preliminary preferred alternative” based on community input, economic impacts, and traffic information.
  
• 2007 Public information meetings are scheduled throughout the year to communicate with and receive input from members of the community.
  
• Draft EIS and public hearings are expected to occur following a final review by the Federal Highway Administration.
• Final decision on the South Mountain Freeway will follow the release of the Draft EIS and public hearings and comment.
  

Our Valley Freeway System is part of the 2004 voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with our transit partners to implement the voters’ vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the traveling public.