I-10 Twin Peaks Traffic Interchange, Environmental Assessment

Affected Environment and Environmental Impacts October 2005
Avra Valley TI south to the Cortaro Road TI, which would result in one-way
frontage road operation from the Avra Valley TI to the 29 th Street TI. This would
promote safer operations and would comply with ADOT policy. Provision of a
new TI at Twin Peaks Road would improve traffic circulation within the overall
area and serve a substantial amount of traffic both crossing and accessing I-10.
Circulation within the study area would be improved also with the proposed
construction of improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Residents within Continental Ranch would see a substantial increase in traffic
volumes along Twin Peaks Road. Current two-way traffic volumes on Twin Peaks
Road near the eastern terminus of the roadway are estimated to be approximately
100 vehicles during the peak hour. After completion of the proposed
improvements, two-way traffic volumes are estimated to increase to approximately
2,510 vehicles during the peak hour by the year 2030; however, Twin Peaks Road
was designed originally to provide this interstate connection.
Business Disruption
Although access to the businesses near the TI would be modified substantially with
the loss of access to the eastbound I-10 frontage road, the resulting business access
from the west would be safer and more convenient for customers. Currently
customers must make right and left turns into these businesses from the high speed
eastbound I-10 frontage road, which increases the risk of rear end and sideswipe
crashes. The access road is a low speed facility and would be used primarily to
access the businesses; therefore, the speeds and volumes on this roadway would be
reduced and the resulting conditions would be safer for customers. In addition, the
proposed improvements would provide new direct access to these businesses from
Continental Ranch and from the east side of I-10. Currently customers must follow
circuitous routes along the eastbound and westbound I-10 frontage roads to access
the businesses.
Mitigation
The Town of Marana would conduct acquisitions and relocations in accordance
with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies
Act of 1970, as amended. Sections 28-1841 through 28-1853 of Arizona Revised
Statutes provide for implementation of the Federal Relocation Assistance Program
on a state level. In compliance with the Act, a relocation plan would be prepared.
The Town of Marana would develop a traffic control plan that would ensure that
access to businesses is maintained at all times. The traffic control plan would be
prepared in accordance with Arizona Department of Transportation requirements
and the specific needs of area businesses. Signs would be posted to alert motorists
of construction and to direct traffic to area businesses.
Businesses would reorient operations to accommodate access from the west. Some
parcels are currently separated from the access road by parcels owned by others.
Access across these parcels would be addressed during the final design of the
Interstate 10 Traffic Interchange at
Twin Peaks/Linda Vista
4-87
Project No.: NH-010-D (AIW)
TRACS No.: 10 PM 236 H5838 01D