Homer Davis Elementary School TE Sidewalk Project Update (7/29)

There is a short update on 7/15 at the end of this article.

11/08 - Due to budget shortfalls, Pima County DOT re-evaluated several of the transportation enhancement grant projects, including this one, looking at design and construction options for the projects to determine what construction options could be afforded. Additional RTA funds were approved for this project; unfortunately, however, gains in funding from other TE projects were not realized. As a result, the scope for the project has been reduced from a three-lane roadway section with paved shoulders, sidewalks, and drainage improvements to a two-lane roadway with widened shoulders and sidewalks on both sides of the road. This scope essentially matches the original Transportation Enhancement grant application.

The expanded scope that had been planned included making significant improvements at Homer Davis Elementary School: relocating the crosswalk to mid-block in front of the school, reconfiguring the southern driveway at the school, expanding the median area in front the school to eliminate parking that created multiple vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, and altering traffic circulation at the school to also help eliminate conflicts. Given that maintaining safe pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle travel, particularly in the area of the school, is a high priority for the project, as much improvements of the proposed improvements at the school as can be afforded will be part of the new design. At a minimum, these will include physically eliminating the front parking, altering the traffic circulation, and relocating the crosswalk. In addition, the artwork created by our artist Rebecca Carlton, in conjunction with the students and staff at the school, will still be placed in front of the school.

Update 7/16/09: Project scope and associated design and environmental documents are being re-evaluated to reflect scope modifications that have been made to project due to funding impacts.

Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2009 or early 2010.