Q: When will the corridor be built?
A: Completing the Location/Design Concept Report and the
associated Environmental Impact Statement are the second step in the highway
development process. The Design Concept Study is conducted to further refine
the recommendations made from the earlier Corridor Location Study. Once the
Design Concept Study is complete, the State Transportation Board considers
whether to add the project to the 5-year program. The final steps include
designing the roadway and acquiring the land (or right of way) to build the
roadway. At this point, construction can now begin on the new roadway. This
process could take 10 to 20 years or longer as shown in the project timeline
figure.
Q: The current estimate for completing
construction of a proposed realignment of SR 95 is 15 to 20 Years,
why would this process take so long?
A: ADOT is proceeding with the assumption that much of the
costs for this proposed realignment would be covered by funds from
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), referred to as "Federal
Funds". In order to use these funds the project must comply with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which requires a
comprehensive environmental process be followed to assess any and
all environmental concerns associated with the project. This process
is envisioned to be completed within the next 2-3 years.
Following the NEPA process, and assuming the
proposed project is not determined to have adverse environmental
impacts, the project would be allowed to be funded with Federal
Funds. However, given the number of projects in the State of Arizona
expected to compete for future Federal Funds there could be a period
of time that this project will be placed on hold.
Once funding is established, the project would be
designed and then constructed. The construction would most likely
need to be done in several phases with construction advancing
several miles at a time. The culmination of all of these events is
currently estimated to extend over a 10 to 20 year time period.
Q: If I can't attend the public meetings, where
can I direct my comments/questions and obtain more information?
A: You have a couple options; your first option is to complete the survey questions on our
Public Feedback page. If you wish to speak or write to someone
directly, you may send your questions to the team managers shown on
the Project Team page. If you wish to e-mail
questions to our study team, please forward them to our
Study Team Manager. They will respond to you directly.
Q: How can I be added to the mailing list?
A: If you are interested in receiving updates on the SR 95
Realignment Study, please complete the information on our
Public Feedback page.
Q: How will I be notified of the final
recommendations for the corridor?
A: This website will be updated with information as
the study moves along. We will also be mailing flyers to everyone
periodically on our mailing list. If you would like to become part
of our mailing list by completing the information on our
Public Feedback page.
Q:
How will the relocation of SR 95 affect the businesses that are
currently located along the existing SR 95 route?
A: Bullhead City and Laughlin are regional
destinations. The businesses on SR 95 primarily serve the
communities of Bullhead City and Laughlin. They also serve the
travelers that go through the communities on SR 95. With the
relocation of SR 95, these businesses will still serve the local
community, and those that travel SR 95 to these communities will
still stay at lodges and eat at restaurants as they have in the
past. The goal is to make SR 95 an access controlled facility, which
means that no direct access from the highway will be available to
anyone except at interchanges located 3 to 5 miles apart. ADOT would
restrict any businesses from gaining any access directly from the
new highway, attempting to avoid the congestion currently
experienced on the current SR 95.
Q:
How
does this project differ from the improvements to the Vanderslice
route being proposed by Mohave County
A: The
Vanderslice alignment and design concept study represents a separate
project led by Mohave County for the purpose of conveying its vision
for a contiguous facility between Courtwright Road and Bullhead
Parkway, to improve traffic flow and circulation within the greater
Fort Mohave and Mohave Valley areas and service traffic destined
to/from these areas. ADOT and FHWA currently have no role in the
study of improvements associated with the Vanderslice corridor.
Mohave County recently selected a consultant to conduct the
Vanderslice study and have not yet initiated public and agency
scoping efforts. The community will likely be notified and/or see
public notices in the local media when they begin their scoping
efforts for that project. Meanwhile, throughout our study process,
we will be coordinating with Mohave County and will forward any
comments we receive on the Vanderslice corridor to their attention.
Q:
Will our taxes be raised to pay for this new roadway (i.e. how will
this project be funded)?
A: Local taxes are not used to pay for the State
highway system. Only gas taxes are used. ADOT uses the gas taxes and
funding provided by the Federal Highway Administration to fund these
roadway improvements. As funds are limited, the State Transportation
Board which has regional representation across the State, works with
ADOT's District Engineers to define the priorities of how the
funding is allocated. Q: Will Hazardous or Nuclear Waste be allowed
to travel on the proposed realignment of SR 95?
A: The purpose of this proposed realignment is to better
connect the Cities along the Colorado River and movement of
Hazardous Materials is not envisioned as a function of this highway
corridor. However, the final decisions pertaining to the
transportation of Hazardous Materials is determined by the US
Nuclear Regulatory Agency and US Department of Transportation, which
have specific regulations for the movement of this type of cargo.
Do you have questions for the
project team? Send us your comments at our
Public Feedback page. |
