This media release was sent via email from the Avra Valley Coalition.
News from the
Avra Valley Coalition:
Contact: Albert Lannon, 520-622-3561,
albertlannon@powerc.net
Public Opposes New
Interstate 11 in Southern Arizona
A
review of the public comments gathered at five “public scoping meetings” in
June, 2015, by the Arizona Department of Transportation shows a large majority
favoring “enhancing or expanding existing highways and freeways” rather than
building a new highway. Written
comments from the more than 500 people attending those meetings run seven to one
opposing a new interstate. Most
attendees came from the Tucson-Marana area and most of those objected specifically to a new
highway through the Avra Valley as proposed by Pima County Administrator Chuck
Huckelberry.
According to ADOT Community Relations Manager Laura
Douglas about 150 people attended the Tucson meeting, with another 150 in Marana; Casa Grande had 51 attendees,
Buckeye 53, Nogales 41, and
Wickenburg 95. An additional 300
comments were received outside of the public scoping meetings, but those are not
yet available for review. While
some of the attendees thanked ADOT “for allowing all the input,” it is not clear
that the voice of the public will be heard in determining the future of
I-11.
Project Director Jay Van Echo acknowledged in a May 18
meeting with Avra Valley activists that there were only two possible routes,
along the existing I-10 or through the Avra Valley. According to emails obtained by the Arizona Daily Independent, the Avra
Valley route as first choice was made before the $15 million Tier One
Environmental Impact Study was underway.
Here is a June 10, 2016, email from Pima County Economic Development
Director John Moffat to County Administrator Huckelberry and his assistant,
Nanette Slusser:
While the Pima County Board of Supervisors is on record
in Resolution 2007-343 opposing any I-10 bypass in Pima County, Huckelberry and
his staff have been allowed to use county resources to promote the Avra Valley
route, and the BOS supported the McCain-Kirkpatrick-Grijalva amendments to the
FAST Act designating I-11 and its Sonoran Corridor leg, formerly named “I-11” on
county maps, as interstates eligible for federal funds.
Opponents of I-11 note that planners envision a future
with research and development in Arizona and Nevada and manufacture and assembly
in Mexico where they believe wages will be lower than in China. They call that “integrative
manufacturing.” They also hope to
attract American companies from China to Mexico, called “nearshoring,” and to
steal jobs from the West Coast to the expanding Port of Guaymas. An Avra Valley route would hurt tourism
at places like the Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park, take away Kitt
Peak’s needed darkness, and lose jobs along the existing I-10 corridor. It would also negatively impact
communities and wildlife, along with ancient archeological
sites.
Candidates for the Board of Supervisors Ally Miller and
Kim DeMarco have publically opposed an Avra Valley I-11 route, while the other
incumbents have been silent as the County Administrator beats the drums. The Green Party candidates also oppose
it, while Steve Christy – who served as chair of the State Transportation Board
when the I-11 EIS was approved – favors the Avra Valley route.
The
Sonoran Corridor, listed as an “auxiliary highway” to avoid the bypass conflict,
was shown on county maps as I-11 and its curious configuration links with the
“Huckelberry Highway” at I-19. The
Sonoran Corridor was also rejected by voters in last November’s bond election,
but that hasn’t slowed down Huckelberry or BOS Chair Sharon Bronson from looking
for ways to advance it.
Bronson’s opponent in the election, Kim DeMarco, along
with L.D. 11 state legislators Steve Smith and Vince Leach, have publically
stated their support for double-decking part of I-10 rather than ruining the
Avra Valley. That option, according to ADOT, would cost one-third that of
a new highway and save taxpayers nearly $2 billion. LD 11 State Senate
candidate Ralph Atchue isn’t sure how much input state legislators will have,
and prefers the highway not go through the Avra Valley.
