On Feb 17 the City of Douglas hosted the Arizona Department of Transportation monthly board meeting at City Hall.
 The ADOT Board of Directors, from left to right, Floyd Roehrich, Deputy Director of Policy, Bill Feldmeier, Board Member, Victor Flores, Vice Chairman and Bobbie Lundstrom Chairwomen. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch |
The State Transportation Board is granted policy powers and duties in addition to serving in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. The Board is subject to ARS Title 38 Open Meeting Laws of Arizona and is responsible for establishing a complete system of state highway routes distributes monies appropriated from the State Aviation Fund airport development and has exclusive authority to issue revenue bonds for needed transportation improvements throughout the state.
Both Mayor Michael Gomez and City Councilman Ben Laforge addressed the board regarding the current problems with Chino Road and the traffic entering Mexico. There is currently only one lane entering Mexico on Chino Road.
“We have traffic backing up all the way to the highway on Chino Road,” LaForge said.
Board of Supervisors Chairwomen Ann English also addressed the ADOT board regarding the HURF funds.
“Cochise County and the Cochise County Board of Supervisors are working with the legislators to quit taking the money from the HURF funds it is very departmental not only to counties but cities, if you don’t have the money it doesn’t trickle down we are asking them to find other source of revenue. …,” said English.
The ADOT Safford District Engineer, Bill Harmon proposed the project of expanding Chino Rd. in Douglas. Harmon feels that the project is among the most important projects in the District. The proposed project will alleviate congestion at the International Border on Pan America (US 191).
The proposed projects are: Chino Road Extension Phase I, 9th Street to future Port of Entry Connection. Chino Road Extension Phase II, State Route 80 to 9th Street.
The total cost for both Phase I and II would be 6.47 million. The proposed project will be split into two construction phases this is in effort to not exceed funding available for the project in fiscal year 2012.
Additional funding will be requested to complete the design and to construct Phase I. The total CBI funding being requested is $1,225,000. The federal funding being requested for design is $443,057 and construction is $781,943. The total matching funds requested from the City of Douglas are $73,633, $26,632 for design and $47,001 for construction.
ADOT has learned that a project is underway in Mexico to improve the highway from Cananea to Agua Prieta the may affect the location of the POE. The new POE in Douglas is not expected to be constructed until 2018 or later.
The meeting closed with a celebration of ADOT John Halikowski third year as ADOT Director and Chairwoman Bobbie Lundstrom celebrated a birthday.
Chairwomen Lundstrom thanked the mayor and council for their wonderful hospitality and the wonderful tour of Douglas.
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