State Route 85
 

SR 85 at Gila Bend

Section Page
     
    TABLE OF CONTENTS/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (226KB)   iv
         
1.0   INTRODUCTION (3.2MB)   1
1.1   Foreword   1
1.2   Need for the Project   1
1.3   Description of the Project   2
1.3.1   Project Limits   2
1.3.2   Recommended Improvements   5
1.4   The Study Process   7
1.5   Project Objectives   8
1.6   Characteristics of the Corridor   8
1.6.1   Roadway Characteristics   8
1.6.2   Land Use   8
1.6.3   Drainage   9
1.6.4   Soils   9
1.6.5   Right-of-Way   9
1.6.6   Structures   9
         
2.0   TRAFFIC AND CRASH DATA (892KB)   11
2.1   Traffic Analysis   11
2.1.1   Source of Data   11
2.1.2   Roadway Characteristics   11
2.1.3   Existing Capacity/LOS Analysis   11
2.2   Year 2030 Traffic Analysis   14
2.2.1   Year 2030 Traffic Data   14
2.2.2   Year 2030 Capacity/LOS Analysis   14
2.2.3   Proposed Improvements   14
2.2.4   Ramp/Crossroad Intersection Capacity/LOS Analysis   15
2.2.5   Auxiliary Lane Requirements                                                    
   17
2.3   Crash Analysis   17
2.3.1   Contributing Causes:   19
2.3.2   Fatal Crashes:   19
2.3.3   Crash Types:   20
2.3.4   Crashes by Location:   20
2.3.5   High Crash Sections   20
2.3.6   Conclusions   20
         
3.0   AASHTO CONTROLLING DESIGN CRITERIA (22KB)   21
3.1   Introduction   21
3.2   Design Speed   21
3.3   Lane Width and Shoulder Widths   21
3.4   Grades   21
3.5   Cross Slope   21
3.6   Post Construction Vertical Clearance   22
3.7   Bridge Width   22
3.8   Bridge Rail Geometry/Structure   22
3.9   Bridge Structural Capacity   22
3.10   Vertical Alignment and Stopping Sight Distance   22
3.11   Horizontal Alignment - Degree of Curvature   22
3.12   Horizontal Alignment - Superelevation   22
         
4.0   CORRIDOR LOCATION ANALYSIS (6.9MB)   24
4.1   Introduction   24
4.2   Analysis Approach   24
4.3   Description of Corridor Alternatives   24
4.3.1   2002 DCR Alternative   24
4.3.2   Direct Ramps at B-8/SR 85 Interchange Alternative   24
4.3.3   Existing Corridor Alternative   24
4.3.4   Red Corridor Alternatives   26
4.3.5   Green Corridor Alternatives   26
4.3.6   Blue Corridor Alternatives   26
4.3.7   Yellow Corridor Alternative   26
4.4   Evaluation of Alternative Corridors   29
4.4.1   Initial Screening   29
4.4.2   Evaluation Factors   29
4.4.3   Study Team Evaluation   37
4.4.4   Public Opinion   37
4.4.5   Conclusions   37
         
5.0   DESIGN CONCEPT ALTERNATIVES (sections 5.0 - 5.5.1) (7MB)   38
5.1   Introduction   38
5.2   Evaluation Considerations   38
5.3   Design Concept Alternatives Considered and Discontinued   38
5.4   Design Concept Alternatives Studied   38
5.4.1   SR 85 Mainline Alternatives   38
5.4.1.1   SR 85 Mainline Alternative 1    40
5.4.1.2   SR 85 Mainline Alternative 2   40
5.4.1.3   No Action   40
5.4.2   Maricopa Road Traffic Interchange Options   40
5.4.2.1   Option A   40
5.4.2.2   Option B   40
5.4.2.3   Option C   43
5.4.2.4   No Action Alternative for Maricopa Road Traffic Interchange   43
5.4.3   Business Route 8 (Grade Separation with Mainline)   43
5.4.3.1   Option 1   43
5.4.3.2   Option 2   43
5.4.3.3   No Action / At-grade Intersection   43
5.4.4   Existing Pima Street and B-8 Traffic Interchange   43
5.4.4.1   Pima Street / B-8 Traffic Interchange Alternative 1                      
   47
5.4.4.2   Pima Street / B-8 Traffic Interchange Alternative 2   47
5.4.4.3   Pima Street / B-8 Traffic Interchange Alternative 3   47
5.4.4.4   Pima Street / B-8 Traffic Interchange Alternative 4   47
5.4.4.5   No Action   47
5.5   Evaluation of Alternatives   47
5.5.1   Evaluation Matrix        47
         
    DESIGN CONCEPT ALTERNATIVES (sections 5.5.2 - 5.7) (4.4MB)    
         
5.5.2   Public Opinion   54
5.6   Alternative History   54
5.7   Conclusion – Preferred Alternatives and updates   54
         
6.0   MAJOR DESIGN FEATURES (4.2MB)   58
6.1   Design Controls   58
6.2   Horizontal and Vertical Alignments   61
6.3   SR 85 / I-8 System Interchange   61
6.4   Access Management Plan/Access Control    61
6.4.1   Access Management Study   62
6.4.2   Need for Access Management   62
6.4.3   Policies Recommended for SR 85 / B-8 corridor in Access Man. Study   62
6.4.4   Access Management Update   63
6.5   Right-of-Way   63
6.6   Drainage   63
6.6.1   Existing Culverts and Bridges   63
6.6.2   Hydrology and Hydraulics Methodology   64
6.6.3   Proposed Culverts   64
6.6.4   Proposed Cross Drainage Facilities at Unnamed Wash #1 and #2   64
6.6.5   Proposed Cross Drainage Facilities at SR-85 / I-8 Intersection   65
6.6.6   Proposed Cross Drainage Facilities at Access/Connector Roads   65
6.6.7   FEMA Ponding Areas   65
6.7   Sections 404/401 of the Clean Water Act/Water Resources   69
6.8   Earthwork   69
6.8.1   Fill Slopes   70
6.8.2   Potential Material Sources   70
6.9   Traffic Control and Constructability   70
6.10   Utilities / Railroad / Airport Coordination   70
6.11   Structures   71
6.12   Pavement Design   73
6.13   Estimate of Future Maintenance Costs   76
6.14   Design Exceptions   76
         
7.0   ITEMIZED COST ESTIMATE (21KB)   77
7.1   Introduction   77
7.2   Preferred Alternative Cost Estimate   77
7.3   Description of Cost Estimates   77
         
8.0   IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (794KB)   78
8.1   Introduction   78
8.2   Implementation Guidelines   82
8.3   Project Timing    82
8.4   Level of Service   82
8.4.1   Phase 1 Implementation Analysis   82
8.4.2   Phase 2 Implementation Analysis   82
8.4.3   Phase 3 Implementation Plan   82
8.4.4   Phase 4 Implementation Plan                         83
8.5   Maintenance of Traffic   83
8.6   Funding   83
8.7    Implementation Issues   83
         
9.0   ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES (26KB)   84
9.1   Introduction   84
9.2   Mitigation Measures   84
         
10.0   REFERENCES (12KB)   87
         
LIST OF APPENDICES    
         
A   Design Exceptions (FHWA Approval Letter & ADOT Request Letter) and AASHTO Controlling Design Criteria Report (1.7MB)    
         
B   Preferred Alternative Plan and Profile & Striping/Signing Plan
Appendix B-i (5.3MB)
Appendix B-ii (5.2MB)
Appendix B-iii (5.4MB)
Appendix B-iv (5.7MB)
Appendix B-v (4.9MB)
Appendix B-vi (5.8MB)
Appendix B-vii (7MB)		    
         
C   Construction Cost Estimates (25KB)    
         
D   Traffic Analysis (3.9MB)    
         
E   Correspondence (3.8MB)    
State Route 85
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On The Move
Our Valley Freeway System is part of the 2004 voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan. We are working hard with our transit partners to implement the voters’ vision and are committed to quality, safety, open communication with our neighbors, and minimal inconvenience to the traveling public.