The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is gearing up to begin environmental and design concept work on a new Tucson-area corridor, with aims to create a state-of-the-art link between two major interstates, effectively opening up the veins of commerce and easing traffic snarls around Tucson International Airport. Known as State Route 410, or the Sonoran Corridor, this project intends to connect Interstates 19 and 10 with a 20-mile-long thoroughfare which officials hope will boost the regional economy and streamline transportation.
As part of the Sonoran Corridor Study, a Design Concept Report and Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement are in the works. These will serve to not only envision a precise 400-foot-wide corridor within a larger 2,000-foot swath of land but also to meticulously identify and plan to mitigate environmental impacts. According to a statement on the ADOT website, public engagement will be a cornerstone of the study phase, with meetings scheduled to solicit feedback through 2024 and 2025, and a public hearing set for summer 2026.
The proposed corridor stretches just beyond 20 miles within Pima County, carving a path from west near I-19 and El Toro Road within the town of Sahuarita, skirting Tucson's airport, and extending east to an area north of the city's Alvernon Way alignment—eventually joining the Old Vail Road alignment and connecting at Rita Road to I-10. A vital aspect of the study includes the development of an array of right-of-way alignment alternatives, with ADOT committing to even weigh a “no-build” option among the range of possibilities.
Local residents, business owners, and other community stakeholders are encouraged by the project team to actively provide their insights and concerns throughout the study period. The study's comprehensive nature aims to thoroughly measure, assess, and report on a range of factors critical to both the environment and the community's well-being. As noted on the official ADOT website, community members interested in staying abreast of updates are invited to sign up for email notifications, ensuring they have ample opportunity to shape the future of this pivotal infrastructure project.
