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Nursing students, residents urge Pima County to fix Summit unpaved roads, citing health and school access impacts
Summary
University of Arizona nursing students presented a community assessment documenting impassable unpaved roads in Summit, urging the Board of Supervisors to prioritize maintenance to protect student school attendance, safety and public health. Supervisors asked staff to meet with the students for follow-up.
A team of University of Arizona senior nursing students presented a community assessment to the Pima County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 that said unpaved roads in the Summit area are creating barriers to school attendance, health and safety.
The students — Dominique Zuniga, Natalie Lockwood, Kinley Fredman, Julian Grijalva and Jordan Stein — testified that rainfall turns dirt roads into deep ruts and mud, preventing school buses from entering some neighborhoods, forcing families to miss school and work, and creating standing-water breeding grounds for pests. They said Summit View Elementary’s student body is disproportionately low income and academically behind state averages, and that transportation barriers deepen education inequities.
The students showed photographs and a local map and recommended the county prioritize maintenance on East Old Veil Connection Road from South Old Nogales Highway to South Country Club Road, extend maintenance down South Country Club Road to East Summit Street, and engage the community in a pilot or partnership to ensure consistent school access.
Supervisor Christie praised the students’ research and directed county administration to engage the student team and county staff to discuss next steps. Supervisor Hines asked county staff to follow up with a report — including transportation and public‑health implications — and the board instructed staff to meet with the students and return with options for maintenance or pilot programs.
The presentation prompted additional board discussion about the long‑standing nature of road deterioration in Summit and public‑health effects from dust and impassable roads. County staff agreed to a follow‑up engagement between the students and appropriate departments.
Ending — Supervisors asked staff to meet with the student presenters and Summit community members to explore sustainable maintenance and pilot solutions; staff will report back to the board.
