ADOT gets a jump on development

Agency learns from previous freeway mistakes

Corinne Purtill
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 17, 2006 12:00 AM

Stumbles in the South Mountain Freeway planning process have taught the Arizona Department of Transportation some lessons now being applied to new construction projects, the agency's chief said.

"We should have bought the right-of-way 20 years ago," ADOT director Victor Mendez said of the now-cluttered corridor where ADOT wants to place Loop 202.

Those lessons come too late for neighborhoods in Ahwatukee Foothills and the West Valley threatened by the South Mountain Freeway. However, in response to public outcry in those areas, ADOT is now moving aggressively to purchase land for new roads planned in the West Valley, years before construction is scheduled to start.  

Mendez made his comments at a meeting Wednesday with The Arizona Republic, where he and other ADOT officials gave updates on projects planned throughout the Valley.

He also talked about the agency's discussions with the Gila River Indian Community on potential placement of the South Mountain Freeway's southern leg on their land.

Current plans call for the freeway to connect to Interstate 10 at Pecos Road in the south and at 55th Avenue, 71st Avenue or Loop 101 in the west.

Mendez said he recently met with newly installed Gila community Gov. William Rhodes for an introductory meeting. About three weeks ago, he wrote an official follow-up letter to Rhodes asking how the community would like to proceed with negotiations on a number of issues, including the widening of I-10 through the reservation. He has not received a reply.

The agency is eager to assure the Gila River community that the tribe's position on the South Mountain Freeway will not affect other projects the community wants on its land.

"We are not linking I-10 widening issues with South Mountain issues," Mendez said. He said ADOT would be willing to negotiate with the Gila River community on a South Mountain Freeway alignment up until the "last minute," though he would not specify when that deadline would be.

Questioned about the likelihood of the South Mountain Freeway not being built, Mendez said that is still technically an option.

"From a purely technical standpoint . . . there's two options: no build and Pecos Road," Mendez said.

However, "if you look at the regional needs, there's going to be some discussion on that," he said. "If you think the Broadway curve is bad right now, it's going to get worse."