In December, Roadrunner provided a compilation of some major road projects in store for the region in 2016.
It was not a comprehensive list, and many readers have called and emailed to ask about projects particular to their neighborhood or commute.
Here’s some information on those projects and what motorists can expect over the next few months:
TANGERINE ROAD
A big project in the pipeline for the northwest side is the Tangerine Road widening plan.
The work, a Regional Transportation Authority project, includes adding a lane in each direction between La Cañada and Dove Mountain Boulevard. The work for this nearly 5-mile stretch also includes new intersections, turning lanes, bike paths, sidewalks and drainage culverts.
SUNSET ROAD BRIDGE
The RTA project to rebuild the Sunset Road bridge over the Santa Cruz River will begin soon.
The bridge and new roadway will re-establish the connection from Sunset Road and Silverbell Road to Interstate 10, which was lost when the bridge washed out during the 1983 floods.
The work should be complete by the time the Arizona Department of Transportation begins major work on the Ina Road and I-10 interchange, said the RTA’s Jim DeGrood.
That project, reported previously here, will completely shut down the Ina/I-10 interchange and cause major havoc as interstate travel is redirected to interior roads like Silverbell.
VALENCIA AT KOLB
Later this year, we could see work start at the intersection of Kolb and Valencia roads.
The plans include completely realigning the hugely congested intersection and adding indirect left turns and other improvements.
DOWNTOWN
The long-awaited Downtown Links project should begin in late 2016, once ongoing utility work wraps up.
The project will link Barraza-Aviation Parkway to the I-10 frontage road at St. Mary’s Road.
GRANT ROAD WIDENING
Another long-anticipated project is the Grant Road widening.
Work on the Oracle Road to Park Avenue section should go out to bid next month, and work is expected to begin a few months later, DeGrood said.
Pima, Country club
The city of Tucson has more Road Recovery Bond resurfacing work on tap, too.
Resurfacing of Pima Street from Columbus to Country Club is scheduled for this year, as is Country Club from about Los Reales Road to Drexel Road.
NOT BEING FIXED
A few areas Roadrunner frequently hears about are Thornydale Road on the northwest side and Broadway east of Camino Seco on the far east side.
Sorry to report, you won’t see anything at either of these locations.
Pima County transportation officials recently told Road Runner there were no immediate plans to resurface the rugged stretch of Thornydale north of Linda Vista Boulevard.
Nor will the city resurface the jarring stretch of Broadway between Camino Seco and Harrison Road. (The good news for east-side residents, however, is that the RTA reconstruction of the same stretch of Broadway will begin sometime in 2017.)
Another stretch or road that generates a lot of complaints is Valencia from about I-10 to Alvernon.
This stretch will not see any improvements in 2016, sorry to say. But in 2017, the city plans to use some of the Road Recovery funds for resurfacing there.
Again, today’s list of projects is not comprehensive. Please keep sending your questions to roadrunner@tucson.com, and we will publish answers as quickly as possible.
Down the road
As part of the city’s Downtown Links Phase III project, Century Link is continuing work to relocate existing facilities located within the project limits. On Monday, Jan. 18, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, the northbound and southbound travel lanes on Sixth Avenue between Seventh Street and Sixth Street will be closed.
The closure will allow Century Link to safely use a crane to install a shoring box. Pedestrian access will be maintained during this work.
