Council approves IGA to build traffic signal at Walden Grove High School intersection

The Town of Sahuarita council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Sahuarita Unified School District to construct and install a traffic signal at the Walden Grove High School intersection (Delgado and Sahuarita Road), including a protected left-turn lane to improve traffic flow and student safety.

Public Works Director N. Nalavalli (presenter) described the signal design and said the team decided against a flashing yellow treatment for the left turn. Nalavalli explained the recommendation for a protected left turn, noting: “We don't want to put that decision on the students that will be making that turn,” and recommended extended left-turn storage to avoid spillback into through lanes.

Nut graf: The project was advanced after design completion and traffic analysis; the town has worked with the school district on cost-sharing and aims to complete construction before the start of the fall semester. The design includes cameras (rather than pavement loop detectors) to support dynamic timing and a left-turn storage lane extended to roughly 477 feet to accommodate school traffic.

Nalavalli said much of the underground conduit work already exists along Sahuarita Road, reducing paving impacts and supporting a faster schedule. The council voted unanimously to adopt the enabling resolution/IGA and asked staff to coordinate concurrent approvals with the school district and to pursue an expedited construction schedule so the signal is in place before students return for the fall term.

Ending: The approved agreement commits the town and the school district to move forward with construction; staff will coordinate contractor scheduling and aim for completion prior to the new school year.