On November 5th, 2021, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed Sonoran Corridor located between Interstate 19 (I-19) and Interstate 10 (I-10) south of the Tucson International Airport in Pima County, Arizona. The ROD, which signifies the conclusion and end of the Tier 1 study, was combined with a Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was prepared by FHWA and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the combined Tier 1 Final EIS/ROD identifies and discusses all such factors that FHWA and ADOT balanced in making its decision and states how those considerations entered into their decision for the Tier 1 EIS study.
The combined Tier 1 Final EIS/ROD document identifies Corridor Alternative 7 as the Selected Alternative to advance to second tier (Tier 2) analysis. Corridor Alternative 7 is approximately 20.47 miles long and extends from the west at I-19 in Sahuarita, near El Toro Road, to I-10 at Rita Road. From I-19, it will travel east along a new alignment for approximately 2 miles, then travel north along an extension of Alvernon Way to Old Vail Connection Road, and then follows Old Vail Connection Road east to I-10 at Rita Road — a 20.47-mile stretch that would connect interstates 10 and 19.
BACKGROUND
FHWA and ADOT officially began the Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 study in May 2017. The Tier 1 EIS prepared by FHWA and ADOT evaluated potential environmental, social, and economic
impacts associated with a range of corridor alternatives, including the No- Build Alternative, from a programmatic level. Given the needs or problems that exist within the Sonoran Corridor study area, the overall purpose of this Tier 1 study was to identify a high-priority, high-capacity, access-controlled transportation corridor that will:
- Improve the existing transportation network by affording better access to growth areas and existing activity centers;
- Reduce congestion and improve LOS that is predicted for the study area in 2045;
- Provide a system linkage between I-19 and I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport that improves mobility associated with regional, interstate, and international travel.
The corridor alternatives that were evaluated as part of this Tier 1 study were developed based on input from the public; coordination with local, regional, state and federal agencies and tribes;
and findings from previously completed studies.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
The combined Tier 1 Final EIS/ROD provides a Phased Implementation Plan for the Selected Alternative, Corridor Alternative 7, which is a conceptual framework for how the Sonoran
Corridor will move forward into Tier 2 studies. The Phased Implementation Plan includes smaller segments of Corridor Alternative 7 that may advance as separate, independent projects.
These future projects will include more defined environmental and engineering studies to identify a specific freeway alignment within the 2000 ft corridor area of Corridor Alternative 7.
The identification and location of interchanges, bridges and other design features will take place as part of future Tier 2 studies. Future Tier 2 studies, which are not yet fully funded, would
include additional analysis and opportunities for public review and comment.
For this Tier 1 study, FHWA served as the Lead Agency and ADOT served as the Local Project Sponsor. For future Tier 2 studies, ADOT has assumed FHWA’s responsibility for carrying out
NEPA under two separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) that have been executed by FHWA and ADOT: Responsibility for Categorical Exclusions MOU pursuant to 23 USC 326 (326
MOU), and Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program MOU pursuant to 23 USC 327 (327 MOU). Under these assignments of federal environmental review responsibility, ADOT is
responsible for carrying out federal environmental review responsibilities and complying with all applicable federal environmental laws, regulations, Executive Orders and policies. ADOT is
solely liable for environmental decisions made on projects funded under the Federal-aid Highway Program pursuant to either the 326 MOU or the 327 MOU.
For more information go to azdot.gov/Sonoran Corridor
WHEN WOULD THE FREEWAY BE BUILT?
Currently, there is no funding identified to build the Sonoran Corridor.
Tier 2 studies can be completed individually for corridor segments over time as design and construction funding becomes available. ADOT is considering all funding options to move the Sonoran Corridor through the Tier 2 study process and eventually to construction.
HOW CAN I COMMENT ON THE TIER 1 FINAL EIS / ROD?
The ROD represents the final decision on the Tier 1 EIS; therefore there is no formal comment period for the Final Tier 1 EIS and ROD.
The Final Tier 1 EIS/ROD is available on the study website at azdot.gov/sonorancorridor.