Phoenix City Council reviews Grand Canal bike pedestrian bridge and sidewalk projects

The Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee meeting held on June 25, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, focused on several key topics related to the city's Road Safety Action Plan. The meeting began with discussions on the Rio Salado bike pedestrian bridge project, which is primarily federally funded, with a local match sourced from T20 funds.

Committee members raised questions about the status of the canal scape project, particularly regarding the Grand Canal. It was noted that there are still two segments of the Grand Canal that remain unfinished. The committee discussed the city's goal to activate all canals, acknowledging that they may not yet be halfway to achieving this objective. The conversation highlighted a specific gap in the Grand Canal project, attributed to design challenges related to crossing a major freeway. This gap is expected to persist until these challenges are resolved.

Further discussions addressed the allocation of $5,025,000 for mobility improvements, which includes funding for sidewalks and the establishment of mobility improvement areas. These areas are designed to identify and address gaps in connectivity, particularly for bike lanes and pedestrian access between neighborhoods and commercial zones. The committee emphasized the importance of public input in determining these areas.

A significant point of concern was the long waitlist for sidewalk improvements, with committee members advocating for increased funding to expedite these projects. It was confirmed that the city allocates approximately one million dollars annually for sidewalk improvements, but the demand far exceeds the available resources.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue addressing these issues, with a focus on enhancing mobility and safety for all residents in Phoenix. The committee plans to follow up on the progress of the discussed projects and explore additional funding opportunities to meet the city's infrastructure needs.