TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation on the History and Development of the East West Corridor Study, presented by Berwyn Wilbrink, Jacobs Engineering, consultant for the project.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The East West Corridor Study is a project partnership comprised of Pinal County, Casa Grande and Maricopa. The impetus for this study was the RSRSM Study of 2008 (Regionally Significant Routes for Safety and Mobility) which had the objective of identifying critical roadway corridors in the region and the right of way necessary for those corridors. During the course of the RSRSM Study, the need surfaced for a high capacity east-west roadway across central Pinal County. It was identified as a Regionally Significant Route (RSR) and included on the RSRSM Study Final Report MAP.
The East West Corridor Study builds upon the findings from the RSRSM Study. The East West Corridor Study began the process in September 2011 with Public Scoping Meetings, during which time information was gathered on agency and public expectations for the corridor. In December 2011, Corridor Development began, using input from agencies and the public. Over the next 15 months, alternative corridors were developed and further refined, using and validating agency and public/stakeholder input in multiple meetings. In the spring of 2013, the project team began work on developing the Maricopa-specific alternative refinements. Between then and now, the project team has conducted ten Maricopa-specific alternative refinement meetings. Participation in these meetings includes: Maricopa City Council, Pinal Partnership, Maricopa staff, Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Maricopa Transportation Advisory Committee. Of the ten meetings held during this Maricopa-specific process, five were public meetings.
During the study, the project team considered and analyzed multiple documented alternative alignments. The original alternatives were eventually reduced to the proposed specific alignment that begins at Interstate 10 in north Casa Grande, and follows the Val Vista Road alignment to the current intersection of Val Vista Road and MCGH. The alignment continues northwest on the MCGH alignment to White and Parker Road crosses the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks above-grade and continues west to its current terminus at SR347. Two specific segment alternative alignments were identified as the White and Parker MIS Refined Concepts A & B and Revised Farrell Road Alignment w/SR347, Options A & B.
All other segments of the East West Corridor outside of Maricopa have been informally accepted by participating agencies. In June 2013, the Maricopa City Council viewed a presentation by the project team on the proposed alignment of the East West Corridor and voiced no opposition. During the later refinement of Maricopa-specific alternatives, the White and Parker Road Major Investment Study (MIS) findings were used in detail to find the best alternative that would have the least impact on an adjacent property owner. As a result of these meetings, the proposed interchange at White and Parker Road was moved further south and White and Parker Road MIS Refined Concepts A&B, along with Revised Farrell Road Alignment w/SR347 Options A&B, were prepared for TAC discussion and subsequent forwarding to council for vote. The alternatives will appear on the Regular Council Agenda for discussion and vote following the Work Session.
The East West Corridor will serve an important role in securing Maricopa's regional connectivity, a critical step toward sustainability with a regional population projected to be 2.5 million by 2050 and beyond.
This item is presented by City Manager Gregory Rose.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council hear and discuss a presentation of the History and Development of the East West Corridor Study.