sr 77/oracle road multimodal corridor profile study final report - Pima ...

• The land use of the Willow Springs project up on SR 79 toward Florence could have a big
impact on Oracle Road. The development is planned to include 15,000 homes plus
businesses.
• The traffic being generated from the Oracle area has increased.
• The traffic coming into Catalina from the north is greatly increased. One of the reasons is
because the San Manuel mine closed, and residents are commuting south to work.
• Blackhorse Run, off of Golder Ranch Road, is under construction with 540 new homes.
• Another Pima County development is proposed in north of Catalina with 500 homes.
• Eagle Crest, which is in Pinal County, is developing rapidly and 500 or more homes are
anticipated to be built.
• Phase II of Saddlebrooke is preparing to build a development of 800 homes.
• It is anticipated that six years from now there will be approximately 3,000 new homes in
the Catalina area.
• A Basha’s grocery store is under development in Catalina just north of Golder Ranch Road
on the east side of SR 77. They are negotiating with ADOT for a driveway access permit.
Once they have the permit they will start construction. There will be small shopping
complex with Basha’s as an anchor, along with a fast food restaurant.
• Wildlife corridors are needed. Pima County has a preserve initiative which would create a
connection between the Tortolita Mountains and the Catalina Mountains. There is no
designated area where that connection will be, or funding for the connection. The
timetable for the initiative for the western portion is being considered by the State Land
Department. The eastern portion is on hold by Pima County.
• The first meeting for the Tangerine Road expansion from Oracle Road to First Avenue is
coming up in the near future. A hospital is being built at Tangerine Road and Oracle Road.
The construction starts early summer 2003. To the south major retail development at
Neighborhood 4. That connection is what will be in the design.
• The Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Department’s interest is how people are going to
travel from the west side of Oracle Road to the east side to trail connections off of Oracle
Road.
• Trail corridors are advisable to connect trails from the Canada del Oro Wash to Catalina
State Park.
• Equestrian activated crossing buttons are desired at Oracle Road and Linda Vista.
• Sun Tran buses back up traffic at every light at 8:00 AM, which doesn’t help capacity. It’s
a big problem. From Ina Road there is no place for the bus to pullover. Just north there are
wide shoulders so they can pull over.
• The Town of Oro Valley would like to promote the use of Park-and-Ride lots. Park-and-
Ride facilities could share parking lots with movie theaters, etc. The Home Depot location
north of First Avenue and Oracle Road could be a potential Park and Ride location.
• Sidewalks are on private property. It would be preferable to have a 10- to 12-foot multiuse
lane along Oracle Road. A separate bike/ped facility would also be advisable, however the
available right-of-way has topographical restraints.
SR 77/Oracle Road Multimodal Corridor Profile Study May 2007
Final Report Page 2-26