Pedestrian Crossing on Oak Creek Improvements Project

This project calls for a walk-bike pathway beneath the existing Oak Creek bridge on SR 179. The crossing will lessen conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, improve safety and advance a citizen priority to increase opportunities for walking and bike riding. The management of Tlaquepaque shopping village committed funds and support for these improvements.

Read the City Talk article by Deputy City Manager Andy Dickey published July 2023 in the Red Rock News for detailed commentary on the project.

Read the full feasibility report presented at the July 23, 2019 City Council meeting. PDF-28mb

Status

The project is currently under construction by J. Banicki Construction Inc. The initial construction work has focused on demolition and removal/relocation of existing infrastructure, development of construction access, exploratory excavations for utilities and subsurface conditions, clearing and grubbing and grading. 

Construction impacts

There won't be any major impacts to roadway traffic but please be aware of sidewalk closures and construction equipment in the project corridor. The contractor will work to maintain access throughout the construction.

Illustrations

Cross-section of SR179 at Oak Creek showing the proposed crosswalk passing under the vehicle and pedestrian bridges.

Aerial view of SR179 at Oak Creek showing the proposed crosswalk passing under the vehicle and pedestrian bridges.

Illustration of the creekside crossing on SR179, just south of the shopping village.

Portal / Ranger / Brewer road connections

History

This project would improve traffic flow on SR179 between the Schnebly Hill roundabout and the Y by altering traffic patterns, improving roadway design and addressing capacity issues. Items considered are to:   

• Evaluate opportunities to use Portal Lane as one-way access to shopping with new connections to allow vehicles to exit onto Brewer-Ranger roads. 
• Evaluate a connection from Los Abrigados to Brewer Road to give resort guests and employees a more direct route to the West Sedona area.
• Reduce the number of vehicles that use the Schnebly Hill roundabout by providing alternate access to northbound SR89A and West Sedona.
• Improve safety at the Ranger Road / Brewer Road intersection.   

The Brewer/Ranger connection would help divert vehicles that would be making a U-turn movement at the Schnebly Hill roundabout, reducing SR 179 congestion. With no traffic, it takes 12 minutes to travel from Bell Rock Blvd to the Y.  In severe congestion it takes 36 minutes. This level of severe congestion occurred on 6 days between February 1 and June 4, 2017.

Status

After reviewing all options with feedback from Tlaquepaque partners, the city is pursuing the idea of a bridge over Soldier Wash that would connect to Brewer Road instead of funneling drivers onto Ranger Road. Details of the bridge, and how the connection will align with Brewer Road will be included in the design of the Brewer Road / Ranger Road Intersection project (see below).

Status of Brewer Road / Ranger Road Intersection project

This project includes improving the existing Ranger Road/Brewer Road intersection and extension of Ranger Road to the proposed Transit Hub location. The current intersection and roadways are not adequate for present traffic and are in need of upgrading. The intent of the improvements would be to improve the efficiency of the intersection, and accommodate potential transit improvements via a Ranger Road extension. The study is complete with the preferred alternative selected. The design is currently 90% complete for a 5-legged roundabout with additional Shared Used Path connectivity. Design is to be completed by August. Advertisement, bid, and construction are scheduled to begin this winter fall and be completed by the Fall of 2024.

Status of Los Abrigados / Brewer Road Connection

This project established a connection from the Los Abrigados property through the City owned Ranger Station property to Brewer Road. Los Abrigados contributed $75,000 to the project. The project was completed on August 22, 2022. Use of the connection occurred very quickly, with Los Abrigados traffic now connecting directly to Brewer Road, no longer needing to enter traffic on SR 179, when traveling north of the resort.