I 10 Phoenix to California Border Profile Study Involvement Summary Report ... people exiting the Burger King. ... case, there might be less deaths caused from

Public Involvement Summary Report

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MPD Project No. 09‐11

I‐10 Phoenix to California Border Multimodal Corridor Profile Study

December 2012

Prepared by

Arizona Department of Transportation

206 S. 17th Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

In cooperation with

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration


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Contents

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 3

2.0 Public Outreach ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Information E‐Newsletters ...................................................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Press Release ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

2.3 Newspaper Display Notices..................................................................................................................................... 3

2.4 Public Open House Meeting ................................................................................................................................... 3

2.5 Website ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 Public Comments ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

3.1 Comments Received ............................................................................................................................................... 4


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1.0 Introduction

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is conducting a long‐range planning study for Interstate 10 called the

I‐10 Multimodal Corridor Profile Study. The study area extends from downtown Phoenix (Central Avenue) to the

Arizona/California border. The intent of the study is to take a comprehensive look at the transportation needs for the I‐

10 Corridor and consider a range of mobility options, including personal and commercial vehicles, rail and public transit,

and air service.

A public meeting was held on November 8, 2012 with the comment period from November 8 – November 22, 2012. The

following public meeting summary includes the information and presentations provided during the meeting, as well as a

summation of comments received from participants and responses from the study team.

2.0 Public Outreach

2.1 Information E‐Newsletters

The study team prepared and distributed an informational e‐newsletter introducing the study and inviting the public to

attend the open house meeting on November 8, 2012. The newsletter was e‐mailed on October 18, 2012, to the

748 addresses contained in the study e‐mail list. A copy of the informational e‐newsletter is attached (Appendix A).

2.2 Press Release

A press release announcing the November 8, 2012, public meeting was developed and sent on November 2 to area

television and radio stations, and newspapers. A copy of the press release is attached (Appendix B).

2.3 Newspaper Display Notices

Newspaper display notices announcing the public open house meeting were published in the Parker Pioneer and

Quartzsite Times newspapers on October 31, 2012. The newspaper display notices are attached (Appendix C).

2.4 Public Open House Meeting

One open house meeting was held on Thursday, November 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Quartzsite Town Hall in Quartzsite,


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Arizona. The meeting included display boards showing the identified needs and deficiencies and projects programmed

for construction. A copy of the display boards is attached (Appendix D).

The purpose of the meeting was to present information on the study and provide an opportunity for the public to ask

questions and submit comments. Eleven members of the general public attended the public open house meeting. In

addition, Quartzsite Mayor Foster and Councilperson Workman also were in attendance.

2.5 Website

The study website was developed and the web address was published on all informational materials.

Open house meeting information and project details were provided on the website at

www.azdot.gov/I10corridorstudy.com.

3.0 Public Comments

Comment forms were distributed to meeting attendees at the public open house meeting. Meeting attendees were

encouraged to complete and submit comments to the study team by November 22, 2012. A total of four comment

forms were returned at the public open house. One comment form was e‐mailed to the study team within the 30‐day

comment period. A copy of the comment form is attached (Appendix E).

3.1 Comments Received

Of the comments received, the I‐10 area projects listed that the public felt were most important included, (followed by

the number of people who marked this on his or her comment sheet):

Possible I‐10 Projects in La Paz County Number of Respondents

Interchange Improvements, West Quartzsite Road 4

Bridge Rehabilitation, West Quartzsite Traffic Interchange Underpass 3

La Paz County Regional Bus Service 2

Freight Improvements, Arizona and California Rail Spur to Quartzsite 2

New Airport and Air Cargo Facilities, Quartzsite Airport 2

Quartzsite Local Transit Circulator 2

Interchange Improvements, Dome Rock Road 1

Interchange Improvements, Riggles Avenue 1

Widen from 4 to 6 lanes, California Border to Maricopa County Border 1


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The public submitted additional comments on the comment sheets regarding I‐10 roadway improvements. These

comments and associated ADOT responses are as follows.

I‐10 Roadway Issues in La Paz County

Public Question/Comment Response

The off ramp at Milepost 17 needs to be improved.

In the winter, this ramp has a backup of traffic that

is severe. The four‐way stop light on the north side

of Exit 17 is useless since no one stops there for

people exiting the Burger King.

Your comment is noted in the study record.

Expand Exit 17 ramps and overpass to match Exit

19 because the Exit 17 ramps are too small for the

amount of truckers and increased traffic during the

winter. The improvements should also include

installing traffic lights at both ends of the Exit 17

overpass to regulate traffic. Traffic light5s on the

north side at Exit 19 should also be installed.

Ramp improvements on I‐10 are needed.

Exit 17 is a congested area in the summer and

much worse in the winter. A wider interstate might

save more lives.

The study team should consider creating a

Quartzsite bypass on I‐10 from Exit 19 to north

Highway 95 off Riggles Road.

The speed limit should be reduced on I‐10

westbound from Highway 60 to Gold Nugget Road.

The study team should consider widening Exit 17.

The adjacent overpass should be reinforced and a

vehicle safety passing lane and a pedestrian

walkway should be added.

The study team should consider improving I‐10 so

that it is three lanes in each direction from the

California border to Phoenix. Truckers should be

restricted to using the right lane only and not

taking up space in the center or left hand lanes.

There could be a “fast” lane designated for

hospital emergencies.


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Public Transit


A public commuter airline service at the Quartzsite

Airport for business and pleasure would be

appreciated. Creating this service would be better

for traffic congestion than additional bus routes

through the area. This could also increase tourist

travel to our area.


There should be bus routes between Phoenix and

Quartzsite, Quartzsite to Yuma, and Los Angeles to

Quartzsite.

Economic Development


There are a number of companies who would love

to relocate to Quartzsite but are restricted because

it takes too long for equipment or parts to be

shipped here. Improving I‐10 in this area would

certainly help Arizona commerce. I have worked

for years with the Town of Quartzsite and the

Chamber of Commerce and many times have

talked to corporations, who like the peaceful

Quartzsite environment and fresh air.


Quartzsite’s potential is great. The sun shines here

most of the time and there is abundant fresh air

and water.

General Comments


Something that can limit traffic on Interstate 10 would be to advise outsiders not to drive into or out of Phoenix during rush hour.

Your comment is noted in the study record. Please abandon planning and use of coarse rock for drainage areas. It is a safety issue.

More people have been retiring to this area lately. The available fresh produce and other good foods are cheaper here than in nearby towns.

General Comments (continued)


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Quartzsite needs to have an emergency hospital

that is open all hours during the week and should

always have doctors available. If this were the

case, there might be less deaths caused from

vehicular accidents on I‐10. People in critical

condition could be flown from here in any direction

to advanced trauma centers.


Keep up the good work. Freeway planning for

Quartzsite’s anticipated growth is wise.

After the PowerPoint presentation at the public open house, the meeting attendees had various comments and asked

the study team numerous questions. These comments, questions, and associated ADOT responses are as follows.

I‐10 Roadway Issues in La Paz County


ADOT needs to put a sign to warn motorists when

approaching “blood alley” (the speaker said that

this is an area on I‐10 that is located west of Exit

31). There is a major issue there with vehicles

losing control and rolling.


If ADOT would put a closed sign on I‐10 at Exit 81,

this would limit the I‐10 traffic.

When there is an accident at the West Quartzsite

interchange (exit 17), it creates a difficult situation

for drivers to navigate the area. Something needs

to be done to address this situation right away.

On I‐10, the traffic that uses Exit 17 does not flow

well, and the problem gets even worse in January.

Can ADOT construct a traffic signal at the

intersection of Riggles Avenue and the Exit 19 off

ramp? This needs to be done as soon as possible.


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I‐10 Roadway Issues in La Paz County (continued)


I have been on the overpass at Exit 17 when trucks

are passing. There seems to be too much vibration

and it seems to be that this overpass is not sound

for this heavier truck traffic. Has ADOT tested this

to ensure its durability?

The Quartzsite Avenue overpass was tested prior

to use by the public and adheres to current ADOT

standards.

When exiting I‐10 on Exit 17, the turn heading

toward the Love’s Travel Stop is too tight for

trucks. If Love’s Travel Stop makes other

improvements to their business, will they be

responsible for roadway improvements due to

increased truck traffic?

In the case where a business makes a physical

improvement to their facility, which has a direct

impact on traffic congestion levels on a public

roadway, the business owner could be responsible

for making additional public roadway

improvements to address the added traffic

demand.

Other Roadway Issues in La Paz County


Thank you for installing a traffic signal at the

intersection of highways 72 and 95 (21 miles north

of Quartzsite). I believe that we need another

traffic signal at Tyson Street and Highway 95 in

Quartzsite near the Quartzsite Fire and Rescue

station.

Your comment is noted in the study record. There is a major issue on Main Street where there

is a four‐way stop sign near the Burger King and

Carl’s Junior. I was almost run over at this

intersection since no one adheres to the stop signs.

The extended semi‐truck trailers also contribute to

the issue at this intersection.

Highway 95 has two deep dips in the roadway near

the Quartzsite Fire and Rescue station. I would like

something to be done to make this section of the

roadway smoother.


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Proposed Quartzsite Roundabout


The businesses located at the west end of

Quartzsite must be allowed to provide input in the

proposed roundabout decision.


I am curious how many of the study team

members here tonight have a commercial driver’s

license? I am concerned about the proposed

roundabout and if the study team knows how

difficult it is for larger trucks to drive through

them. I have viewed the study website, which

shows that there is funding, but no schematic

details are shown.

The roundabout has not been designed at this

time.


When and where were the meetings held to

discuss the proposed roundabout? Which local

officials were there?

The meeting held was an initial project team

meeting, a public meeting to discuss the

roundabout will be held when the project is

further along in design.

Are there any other alternatives besides the

proposed roundabout? I am wondering how this

proposed facility can route traffic adequately,

especially with the increased area traffic in

January.

Modern roundabouts have been used throughout

Arizona and the local conditions and traffic will be

considered in the design of any improvements.

Earlier, a member of the study team mentioned

that the proposed roundabout has local support.

What is meant by this?

ADOT does not construct roundabouts without the

local jurisdictions’ support. The Town of Quartzsite

Council has indicated it is supportive of the

appropriate design, including a modern

roundabout.

It was mentioned that ADOT has a video that

provides more information about roundabouts.

Can I access this from my personal computer? If so,

what is the website address?

Information and videos regarding ADOT’s modern

roundabout can be accessed from the following

website:

http://www.azdot.gov/ccpartnerships/Roundabou

ts/index.asp.


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Community Involvement


Many times the Quartzsite general public does not

feel that they are getting information about public

projects. Some individuals are looking at creating a

town newsletter to remedy the situation.


The businesses located at the west end of

Quartzsite are very important to the town. Their

concerns and ideas must be considered. It seems

that in the past, ADOT hasn’t asked these business

owners for their opinions and some roadway

changes have been detrimental to them.

Are the major businesses involved with ADOT’s

plans for traffic rerouting? I am curious as to their

level of involvement. How much input do they

have into this study versus ADOT constructing a

safer roadway?

The PowerPoint presentation shows that six other

ADOT studies have been done recently in La Paz

County [Town of Quartzsite General Plan (2003),

Arizona Multimodal Freight Analysis Study (2007),

Arizona Rural Transit Needs Study (2008), La Paz

Transportation Planning Study (ADOT 2010), ADOT

Statewide Transportation Planning Framework

(2010), Statewide Transportation System Needs

Assessment (2011)]. How many public meetings

for these other studies were held in Quartzsite?

(The meeting participant was informed that the La

Paz Transportation Planning Study held a meeting

at the Town of Quartzsite.)

I‐10 Bypass


Is ADOT considering constructing a proposed

Interstate 10 bypass around Quartzsite?

No such project is being considered at this time. ADOT once proposed an Interstate 10 bypass,

which I believe would connect with I‐10 at exit 19,

and would be constructed near the fire station.

What is the status of this?


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Traffic Counts


When did the study team record the traffic counts?

The traffic flow on Interstate 10 in this area is

much different depending on the time of year. For

example, traffic is much heavier in January than

in July.

Traffic counts are reported as annual average daily

traffic (AADT). AADT can be thought of as the

average of a continuous, 365‐day count. Traffic

counts are reported in Working Paper #1.

What year were the traffic counts on Interstate 10

in this area done? If they were done two years ago,

the results could be much different than the

current conditions due to a change in population

figures. The study recommendations may need to

be changed if the traffic counts are not relevant to

the current population.

The traffic counts reported were from 2009,

although the study also forecast short‐ and long‐

term future traffic volumes.

General Comments


A month ago, I was driving on Interstate 10 west

towards Yuma and I noticed an ADOT project that

using coarse rock for drainage. Is this the only

method being used?

There are various methods used to channel

drainage, and reasons for their application. The

issue referenced will be looked at by the ADOT

Yuma District.

Can truck stops be expanded to alleviate issues

with local traffic congestion? Are the truck stops

responsible for any roadway improvements that

may be needed due to higher truck volume caused

by their businesses?

In the case where a business makes a physical

improvement to their facility, which has a direct

impact on traffic congestion levels on a public

roadway, the business owner could be responsible

for making additional public roadway

improvements to address the added traffic

demand.


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Appendix A: Informational E‐Newsletter


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Appendix A: Informational E‐Newsletter

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Appendix B: Press Release

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Appendix C: Newspaper Display Notice

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Appendix D: Display Boards

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Appendix D: Display Boards

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Appendix E: Comment Sheet

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Documents

I 10 Phoenix to California Border Profile Study Involvement Summary Report ... people exiting the Burger King. ... case, there might be less deaths caused from