FINAL Feasibility Reportwickenburg.civilnet.sverdrup.com/Bypass/Publications... · · 2004-07-13Wickenburg Bypass Final Feasibility Report 014164 3 1.3 Description of the Study

Wickenburg Bypass Final Feasibility Report

014164

1

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Foreword Jacobs Civil Inc. is currently under contract with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to conduct a Location/Design Concept Study regarding future improvements to US 93 from State Route (SR) 74 south of Wickenburg, extending north to the Santa Maria River (Figure 1-1). The study consists of three interrelated elements: the widening of US 93 north of Wickenburg to the Santa Maria River; a US 93 bypass around Wickenburg; and an interim improvement project in downtown Wickenburg to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety in the short term until the ultimate US 93 Wickenburg Bypass can be funded and constructed. This Wickenburg Ultimate Bypass Feasibility Report presents the results of an investigation of alternative transportation/route corridors appropriate for the Wickenburg Bypass. The information and recommendations contained herein will be used in advancing the bypass study to the Design Concept Report (DCR) and Environmental Assessment (EA) stage of project development. A separate DCR and EA is being prepared for the US 93 widening north of Wickenburg. The Final DCR and EA for the interim improvement project in Wickenburg are nearing completion. 1.2 Need for the Project US 93 serves as the major regional transportation route connecting the Phoenix metropolitan area to northwest Arizona and beyond. The highway carries increasingly heavy local and regional traffic, with trucks comprising nearly 30 percent of the existing traffic volume. This traffic demand has overtaxed the capacity of the existing route, resulting in a majority of the US 93 corridor from Phoenix to the Arizona-Nevada state line being studied and programmed for widening and other improvements. ADOT’s long-range goal is to provide a four-lane facility from Phoenix to the Nevada state line. The segment of US 93 from Wickenburg to the Santa Maria River is currently under study to achieve that goal. Perhaps the most critical element of that segment is the portion within Wickenburg, where narrow roadways and a restrictive, signalized intersection cause persistent, severe traffic congestion; localized air pollution and elevated noise levels; and safety concerns due to a higher potential for pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. Because of the physical and environmental constraints along the US 93 corridor through Wickenburg, widening of the existing facility is not a viable alternative because it would result in a serious alteration of Wickenburg’s historic downtown area and the displacement of numerous businesses. In addition, current concerns about safety and localized air/noise pollution would not be alleviated. Therefore, a bypass of the Wickenburg community would be the more prudent option. Accordingly, ADOT has initiated a comprehensive study to investigate and identify feasible transportation/route corridors for relocating US 93 around Wickenburg. As an interim measure, ADOT has funded construction of a bypass around the immediate downtown Wickenburg area, which will alleviate congestion until funding for the ultimate bypass is available. As a portion of the corridor under study has been designated as a segment of the CANAMEX Corridor, any proposed bypasses should be compatible with this important North


014164

2

American Free Trade Corridor (NAFTA) facility as well as any long-range plans developed by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG).

Figure 1-1 US 93 Wickenburg Bypass Study Location Map


014164

3

1.3 Description of the Study 1.3.1 Study Limits In 1998, ADOT completed a limited Corridor Location Study (see Corridor Location Report, US 60-US 93 Wickenburg Realignment dated December 1998) that identified and evaluated 34 potential routes for realigning US 93 in and/or around the town of Wickenburg (Figure 1-2). The alignments were evaluated based upon the factors listed in Table 1-1, resulting in the elimination of several routes and the consolidation of most routes into two primary transportation corridors. These are identified as the Northeast and the Southwest Corridors in Figure 1-3. Later, in response to public input during and following the June 3, 1999 public scoping meeting, a third

corridor named the Far West Corridor was added. It is noteworthy to mention that petitions with approximately 2,000 signatures had been received during the Corridor Location Study in 1998, expressing support for a bypass corridor similar to the Far West Corridor. These three transportation corridors became the starting point for conducting the Wickenburg Bypass Study. Specifically, the study area extends from Milepost (MP) 121.0 on US 60, near the US 60/SR 74 junction, to MP 187.0 on US 93 northwest of Wickenburg (Figure 1-3). The study area falls within the ADOT Prescott District and is located within Maricopa and Yavapai Counties.

1.3.2 Purpose and Objectives of the Study The purpose of the Feasibility Study is to identify, evaluate, and recommend feasible corridor alternatives for rerouting US 93 around the town of Wickenburg to enhance safety operations and meet future traffic demands. This Feasibility Study presents various alternatives for meeting these objectives, compares the differences between the alternatives and recommends those to be retained for further study in compliance with the processes set forth by ADOT, FHWA, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The objectives of the study were to:

• Conduct and summarize the agency and public involvement process; • Conduct and summarize the results of the engineering and environmental analyses of

feasible corridors for rerouting US 93; and • Recommend feasible alternatives for further study.

Table 1-1 Preliminary Alignment Evaluation Factors

Design Factors ◘ Horizontal Alignment ◘ Vertical Alignment ◘ Access ◘ Safety/traffic operations ◘ Constructability ◘ Cost ◘ Regional transportation system Environmental Factors ◘ Wildlife habitat losses ◘ Section 4(f) resources ◘ Noise ◘ Hassayampa River Preserve ◘ Water quality ◘ Air quality ◘ Threatened/endangered species

Social Factors ◘ Community cohesion ◘ Displacements ◘ Parks and Schools ◘ Recreational resources ◘ Land use consistency ◘ Mining claims ◘ Visual character ◘ Economic considerations ◘ Rehabilitation centers ◘ Resorts and ranches ◘ Right-of-way ◘ Visibility ◘ Intrinsic natural character ◘ Historic resources


014164

4

Figure 1-2 Preliminary Bypass Alignments


014164

5

Figure 1-3 Bypass Study Limits


014164

6

1.4 Agency/Public Involvement 1.4.1 Participating Agencies Several federal, state, and local government agencies have been involved throughout the study process including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The agency coordination effort associated with the Wickenburg Bypass Study was initiated by inviting federal, state, county, regional, and local agencies and organizations, as well as major utilities, to participate in the agency scoping meeting. These agencies and organizations included: Bureau of Land Management* Federal Highway Administration* U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arizona Department of Commerce Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Arizona Department of Public Safety Arizona Department of Water Resources Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) Arizona State Land Department* (ASLD) Flood Control District – Maricopa County Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Yavapai County Public Works Department* Northern Arizona Council of Governments Town of Wickenburg* Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce* Wickenburg Unified School District Arizona California Railroad Arizona Public Service Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad Cable America Southwest Gas Corporation U.S. West Communications The Nature Conservancy (Hassayampa River Preserve) The above-listed agencies and organizations that participated in the initial June 3, 1999 agency coordination meeting are identified with an asterisk (*). The comments received at the meeting are summarized in Section 1.5.2. Close coordination has been maintained with BLM, FHWA, AGFD, ASLD, MCDOT, and the Town of Wickenburg throughout the alternatives development and public involvement phases of the bypass study. 1.4.2 Interdisciplinary Team An interdisciplinary (ID) team was formed to provide agency policy and procedural guidance, validate alternative evaluation criteria, review study findings, and work toward a consensus on a


014164

7

preferred alternative. The participating agencies of the ID Team included ADOT, FHWA, BLM, and ASLD. Meetings were conducted at strategic points during the course of the study. 1.4.3 Steering Committee A project Steering Committee was formed to provide communication/coordination with local community/government organizations. Meetings were conducted periodically to review the progress of the study, comment on study results, and serve as a sounding board for the study team. Participants in these meetings consisted of representatives from the following entities:

• ADOT Studies Section and Environmental and Enhancement Group • Jacobs Civil Inc. • Maricopa County Department of Transportation • Yavapai County Public Works Department • Bureau of Land Management – Phoenix Area Office • Arizona State Land Department • Town of Wickenburg • Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce • The Nature Conservancy (Hassayampa River Preserve) • Wickenburg School District #9 • Los Caballeros Homeowners’ Association • Rio Vista Hills Homeowners’ Association • Moonlight Mesa Homeowners’ Association • Trails Association • Bypass-Out-of-Town (BOOT) Advisory Committee • Morristown Community

1.4.4 Public Involvement A public scoping meeting (6/3/99) and two public information meetings (8/22/00 and 12/05/01) were held in Wickenburg as part of the public involvement process. Additionally, two public meetings were held in Morristown on December 13, 2000 and April 10, 2002 to discuss interchange options in the area of this community. Information handouts and exhibits were provided at each meeting as background information relative to formal presentations. Comments were received from the public during the question/comment period of each meeting and via written response on meeting questionnaire/comment sheets. Summaries of public opinion regarding the Route Corridor Alternatives and the Morristown Interchange Alternatives are presented in Sections 2.6 and 3.4, respectively. Four newsletters were published and distributed in the Wickenburg Sun as well as through direct mailing. A web page (www.wickenburg.civilnet.sverdrup.com) was also established and maintained to disseminate and receive information from the public.


014164

8

1.5 Project Scoping 1.5.1 The Scoping Process Project scoping was initiated at the beginning of the study to obtain information from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the general public, about specific issues and concerns that those parties felt should be addressed during the study. These informal sessions also provided an opportunity for those in attendance to suggest various options that could be considered. During these meetings, the Northeast and Southwest Corridors were presented as the basis for the bypass study. Scoping input was received from the project Steering Committee during its March 1 and March 31, 1999 committee meetings. The agency scoping meeting was conducted in the Wickenburg Council Chambers on the afternoon of June 3, 1999 and was attended by representatives of the FHWA, BLM, ADOT, ASLD, Town of Wickenburg, Yavapai County, Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, and Jacobs Civil Inc. The public scoping meeting was held in the Wickenburg Community Center on the evening of June 3, 1999. Input from ADOT’s technical staff was received during a July 14, 1999 meeting held at ADOT. Details from the scoping process can be found in the Project Scoping Report, dated September 1999. 1.5.2 Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities 1.5.2.1 The following issues, concerns, and opportunities (ICO’s) were identified relative to the proposed Wickenburg Bypass during the agency scoping meeting. Design

• Concern was expressed regarding potential material source sites and staging areas on BLM land. A BLM/FHWA programmatic EA is under development regarding federal mineral rights on Kingman BLM land; eventually this will be a statewide agreement.

• Access to public lands must be maintained. Both the BLM and State Land representatives expressed concern that ADOT’s goal for access control along a bypass route might compromise recreational access.

• Possible utility conflicts may occur along Constellation Road if the northeast bypass route is selected.

• Access control should be addressed early in the process. • A possible interchange between Vulture Mine Road and the western bypass corridor

should not be dismissed yet. The State Land Department intends to participate in this discussion and is concerned that people think the issue has already been settled.

• Truck traffic usage of the proposed highway – bypass route should not be so long that truck traffic continues to travel through downtown Wickenburg.

• Include appropriate signage to direct bypass traffic to downtown businesses to help reduce negative economic impacts.

• Consider bypass locations close to town (e.g., departing US 60 near McDonald’s, follow the river for several miles, then return to US 93) and others to the west that would either link Loop 303 to US 93 or I-10 with US 93 north of Wickenburg.


014164

9

Social and Economic Impacts

• Potential impacts of a possible southwest bypass on the planned Vulture Peak Special Resource Management Area (RMA), located near Vulture Peak west of the existing US 60/SR 74 intersection. Coordination with the BLM is needed to explore the possibility of providing a transportation corridor through this RMA.

• Disruption of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails should be avoided if possible. If not, the bypass study needs to identify measures to maintain recreational access (e.g., to Vulture Peak).

• Concern was expressed regarding the potential impacts of the proposed northeast bypass on the planned Red Top Mountain Trail.

• Historic mines are found on both sides of US 93 around Wickenburg and should be avoided.

• Prehistoric sites are located on the east side of US 93. There is Hopi interest in these sites. This will require early involvement and coordination with tribes on traditional cultural property issues.

• Physical improvements on State Land (e.g. corrals, barns, etc.) will require compensation if they are impacted by the highway improvements.

• Subsurface federal mining rights on State Land need to be considered. • Consistency with general land use plans should be considered along the bypass. • The Study Team should consider the potential sale and development of State Land at

potential interchanges with US 60 or Vulture Mine Road, land use and economic impact assessments; avoid development of new communities at bypass interchanges. Need to work with State Lands on potential controls for future development along the highway.

• More information is needed on the location of mining claims. • Pre-1955 mining claims have more stringent rights than post-1955. • Wickenburg is currently planning for the expansion of its airport. The bypass study will

need to address avoidance of airport runway protection zones. • Retain the compact character of the Wickenburg community. • Minimize the impact of the northeast bypass on private property and residential areas. • Concerned about impacts on BLM recreational lands. • Maintain access to grazing allotments on State Lands; assistance for grazing lessees, such

as providing fencing during construction, should be considered for bypass routes located south and west of Wickenburg.

• Maintain the quality of life of Wickenburg citizens (i.e., protect health, safety, and welfare) and preserve the historic character of downtown Wickenburg. The bypass could lead to undesirable development or change the character of Wickenburg.

• Protect sales and property tax revenues and utility revenues for the town of Wickenburg. • Maintain consistency with long-term economic and environmental goals/needs of

Wickenburg. • Avoid negative impacts on Wickenburg’s infrastructure. • Minimize potential business failure, loss of jobs, and decreased property values. • Minimize impacts on private property and recreation areas.


014164

10

• Keep the cost of the proposed highway in a reasonable range by considering the ruggedness of the terrain, the number of bridges that may be required, and whether the route will traverse public or private land.

• Maintain zoning control over future land development by placing the bypass within Town limits.

• Minimize impacts on private property. A bypass corridor southwest of town was preferable because it would have less private property impacts.

• Protect existing recreational areas, particularly horse trails. • Avoid negative impacts on Wickenburg’s businesses and tourism. • Development of bypass proposals should be consistent with Wickenburg’s long-range

planning and growth. • Avoid cultural resources as much as possible, e.g., historic ranches west of Wickenburg.

Environmental Impacts

• Minimize visual impacts of the southwest bypass on Vulture Peak trail. • Minimize potential impacts on Class II Sonoran desert tortoise habitat located along the

southwest bypass corridor that would require mitigation. The mitigation would include compensation for the displaced land.

• Protect southwestern willow flycatcher habitat in the Hassayampa River Preserve. • Avoid cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl habitat if present. • Avoid riparian habitat along the Hassayampa River and major washes in the study area. • Wildlife crossing locations need to be identified and accommodated in developing design

alternatives for possible bypass routes. This will require coordination with the AGFD. • Bat surveys at existing structures on BLM land will be required to detect roosting areas. • Off-bridge mitigation is preferred for replacing bat roosting areas instead of placing bat

abodes on structures, which creates maintenance problems. • Must consider plant salvaging. • Minimize air quality impacts and noise pollution. • Minimize impacts on the desert and wildlife habitat.

1.5.2.2 The following ICOs were identified in the review of comments received at the public scoping meeting. Design

• Maintain access to local roads; concerns were expressed about connector roads between the bypass and US 60, changes to Constellation Road, frontage roads, and access to SR 74 and SR 89.

• Improve roadway safety and traffic flow. • Bypass location suggestions:

(1) The bypass should start at SR 303, pass by the White Tank Mountains, stay west of Wickenburg, and then join US 93 north of town.


014164

11

(2) The bypass should follow Gates Road, an existing unpaved road, for a northeast bypass.

(3) The bypass should be located farther away from town and tie US 93 into I-10. • Maintain convenience of the roadway.


• Minimize impacts on private property. A bypass corridor southwest of town was preferable because it would have less private property impacts.

• Avoid residential areas/neighborhoods; locate the bypass far away from developed areas. • Protect existing recreational areas, particularly equestrian trails. • Bypass construction costs should be minimized and take into account such factors as

ruggedness of terrain, number of required bridges, passing through public land, and building connector roads.

• Avoid negative impacts on businesses and associated impacts on tourism and Wickenburg’s major employers. Particular concern was expressed about the possible effects of a bypass on downtown businesses.

• Effects on Town planning and growth: Concern was expressed that a bypass would lead to undesirable development, change the character of Wickenburg, and/or limit the Town’s expansion to the west if the southwest bypass were built.

• Mining claims should be a less important factor than impacts on people. • Protect school zones from the noise and traffic of the southwest corridor. • Protect cultural resources; e.g., concern was expressed about the impact of a southwest

bypass on historic ranches. Environmental Impacts

• The Southwest bypass would degrade air quality in the Wickenburg area due to the prevailing wind direction and local basin topography.

• Minimize visual impacts, particularly in the Vulture Peak area. Concern was also expressed about impacts of the Southwest bypass on the local desert scenery.

• Avoid wildlife and habitat impacts as much as possible and minimize the amount of desert and riparian habitat that would be destroyed.

• Minimize noise impacts in residential areas. • Preserve local water quality. • Avoid floodplain encroachment.


014164

12

1.5.2.3 The following ICOs were identified in the first meeting of the Steering Committee. Design

• Provide easy access to Wickenburg from a bypass. • Minimize the amount highway turn-back to the Town of Wickenburg following

completion of the bypass. Social and Economic Impacts

• Protect recreational resources. • Retain the quality of life in the Wickenburg area. • Preserve rural historic values. • Preserve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. • Avoid adverse effects on Town infrastructure and any potential loss of utility revenues. • Optimize the Town’s ability to manage land use and zoning. • Promote Wickenburg as a tourist destination. • Minimize potential business failures, lost jobs, and revenue reduction. • Investigate opportunities to support local businesses. • Support the socioeconomic goals of the community. • Avoid residential displacements and loss or reduction in value of residential property. • Keep project costs reasonable.

Environmental Impacts

• Minimize noise impacts. • Avoid adverse impacts on the Hassayampa River and desert areas. Develop appropriate

mitigation if these impacts cannot be avoided. • Minimize negative impacts on air quality.


014164

13

1.5.2.4 The following ICOs were identified by the ADOT technical staff at the outset of the study. Design

• ADOT does not usually designate material sources for contractors. ADOT has had a difficult time finding available sources along the US 93 corridor.

• More railroad crossings are associated with the Southwest Corridor than with the Northeast Corridor.


• Project costs could increase significantly if ADOT has to acquire mining claims, most of which are active and concern gold, gypsum, or granite mining. ADOT prefers to avoid mining claim acquisitions due to the cost and administrative difficulties.

• The difference between mining claims predating 1955 versus those filed after 1955 is that owners of the pre-1955 claims own the land and the mineral rights whereas the others only have mineral rights.

• Mining claims on BLM land are Located and filed by citizens and can be terminated as follows: BLM can contest the validity of the claim, the results of which exam could be contested by the claim holder; the claim could be purchased by third parties and subsequently relinquished; or the claimant can voluntarily relinquish the claim.

Documents

FINAL Feasibility Reportwickenburg.civilnet.sverdrup.com/Bypass/Publications... · · 2004-07-13Wickenburg Bypass Final Feasibility Report 014164 3 1.3 Description of the Study