Town warns Phoenix project will detour traffic onto local streets; chip seal planned for 50 Third Street

Town officials told the Cave Creek Town Council on Aug. 19 that the City of Phoenix’s Cape Creek Road construction will require detours that will route additional traffic through local residential streets and commercial access points, and that the Phoenix contractor will chip-seal 50 Third Street to reduce dust during the detour.

The town engineer, Greg, told the council the project — managed by the City of Phoenix with construction managers Garney and Wilson Engineers and traffic control by National Barricade Company — is moving closer to the Cave Creek intersection and “the traffic situation most likely will get worse” as tie‑ins are made. He said traffic restrictions could remain in place until about mid‑December and that the next scheduled change in traffic control is expected in mid‑September.

The council was told the contractor and the town developed a detour to maintain access to southbound businesses including Walmart, Burger King and Firehouse Subs. The detour will route traffic onto Barbie, 50 Third Street and Olson; the contractor will chip‑seal 50 Third Street to limit dust that would otherwise occur with increased traffic. Tyler Thurman and the town public‑works crew graded 50 Third Street to prepare for the chip seal, and Marshall Stein hand‑delivered a letter to affected businesses; the contractor’s public‑relations hotline is (602) 532‑6222.

Why it matters: the detour places more traffic on neighborhood streets and could increase safety and noise concerns for nearby residents. Council members asked about resident notice and speed mitigation. Greg said the town had not installed a traffic counter on the detour streets and that only one town resident directly affected had been contacted so far; the resident has been offered a meeting. Staff said signs that limit some streets to local traffic may be used to reduce through traffic.

Council members and staff noted prior collisions at the Cave Creek Road/Carefree Highway intersection and urged sensitivity to neighborhoods that will see more traffic. The town manager said the town will continue to post updates on its website and in the community newsletter and coordinate with the Phoenix contractor and its PR firm. The town engineer said traffic routing and control plans are still subject to change as the contractor refines them.

The town asked residents and businesses with concerns to call the Phoenix contractor hotline or contact town staff; the hotline number that the town posted is (602) 532‑6222. The council did not take formal action on the detour; staff said they will continue expedited review of contractor plans and will update the council if conditions change.