Mesa outlines $65 million Broadway Road Phase 1 overhaul, cites school and pedestrian safety needs

Mesa City Council members on Aug. 14 heard a staff briefing on Broadway Road Phase 1, a corridor reconstruction project stretching roughly from Mesa Drive to Stapley Drive that city staff said will begin in September and last about two years. Lance Albright, a city staff member involved with the project, described the effort as “really kind of 5 or 6 projects in 1.”

The project scope, as presented by city staff, includes replacement and coordination of aging utilities (staff said some date to the 1940s), pavement replacement, new right‑turn lanes on all four legs of the Broadway/Stapley intersection, new storm drain work tied to a regional drainage system, new sidewalks and pedestrian hybrid beacons at three locations identified in staff materials: Lehi Sueur, Olive and the crossing at Eagles Park adjacent to the elementary school. Albright told council the corridor is pedestrian‑friendly and that traffic‑control phasing to preserve safe pedestrian movement has been a major focus in contractor coordination.

Why it matters: Broadway is a mixed commercial, residential and school corridor; staff and council members repeatedly pressed for measures to protect children and pedestrians during construction. Councilmember Jennifer Duff and others asked about coordination with Lowell Elementary and outreach to local businesses. City staff said they have been coordinating with the schools and business stakeholders, will provide monthly construction updates, and intend to keep school crossing locations open during school periods.

Staff also provided preliminary funding and scheduling details. Albright said transportation group work on the project will be “somewhere around” $26–28 million, flood control/water‑related work about $17 million, and energy‑resources work (electrical and gas) closer to $20 million — total “about $65 million as a loaded cost.” He said some costs predate the 2020 Street Bond and that a fuller line‑item breakdown would be sent to council. Staff told council the project will intersect both SRP and City of Mesa electrical systems: electrical undergrounding is planned for the north side of Broadway, while overhead lines will remain on the south side.

On sequencing and logistics, staff said the work will be segmented to match utility alignments and signal locations; they characterized the sequencing as “complex and involved.” Council members asked whether work would maintain pedestrian access and safe drop‑off and pick‑up for nearby schools; staff replied that traffic control plans aim to maintain safe pedestrian routes and keep sidewalks or alternate protected pedestrian paths open, and that they will coordinate routing and timing with the schools. Staff also confirmed the project includes replacing about 450 feet of shallow irrigation on the south side to accommodate new hardscape and sidewalks.

Councilmember concerns and next steps: Members repeatedly emphasized school‑area safety and urged extra care around the school crosswalks and contractor placement of channeling devices. Councilmember Go Forth asked whether the three pedestrian hybrid beacons were new; staff confirmed they are. Councilmember Heredia and others asked for detailed funding breakdowns and a project schedule; staff committed to provide the financial breakdown and more detailed sequencing information to council before the regular meeting. No formal council vote or action was taken during the study session; staff said the project will appear on the regular meeting agenda and that staff will distribute further details to council.

The study session discussion ended with staff reiterating outreach and coordination plans with schools, businesses and utilities and with a staff commitment to follow up with a detailed funding and schedule breakdown for council review.