Title
Intergovernmental Agreement with Maricopa Association of Governments and Maricopa Department of Transportation for Transportation and Infrastructure Study in South Mountain and Laveen Villages (Ordinance S-45073)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) for a transportation and infrastructure study to evaluate traffic circulation and land use impacts in the South Mountain and Laveen villages. This project will help staff plan for transportation, roadway and infrastructure needs that will accommodate the expanding development in the southwest part of the City. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this agreement. The City's cost share is $100,000.
Report
Summary
The Laveen-South Mountain area has seen extensive growth over the past 20 years. This area has experienced a major transition from agricultural and rural type land uses to more dense residential development, which has resulted in high population growth and increased traffic. In addition, the large storm event in August 2014 brought to light the need for improved roadway and drainage infrastructure for this growing area.
Study Objectives
- Provide framework to add traffic capacity to areas south of Gila River to improve connectivity.
- Partner with MCDOT to resolve 'patchwork' land uses and roadway designations to plan for an efficient transportation network that includes appropriate drainage infrastructure.
- Upgrade area roads that are unimproved in specific segments causing traffic congestion.
- Require the development community to pay their share of roadway improvements to provide adequate infrastructure to serve the needs of development in outlying areas.
- Address existing Salt River Project (SRP) canals and their connectivity to unincorporated and incorporated areas in relationship to the transportation network.
- Coordinate existing and future flood control mitigation needs and opportunities as they relate to the transportation network.
The study will include two areas of focus: 1) For overall system improvements, the plan will evaluate items that improve accessibility, circulation and safety, and 2) Plan recommendations will be developed for system-wide roadway classifications, signalization needs, circulation patterns based on existing conditions and future land use changes, multi-modal connections, and bridge infrastructure needs.
Study Duration
The study has an estimated duration of 18 months with a projected start time of Spring 2019.
Financial Impact
The study is a cooperative effort with MAG providing $300,000, and MCDOT and the City of Phoenix each providing $100,000. Funding is available in the Street Transportation Department's Capital Improvement Program.
Location
The study area is bounded by 83rd Avenue to the west, the Salt River to the north, Elliot Road to the south and 27th Avenue to the east.
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Street Transportation Department.