City reports traffic reductions after early SIM projects; Forest Road ribbon cut, Y metering and adaptive signals still pending ADOT approvals

City staff told the Sedona City Council that early Sedona in Motion (SIM) projects have coincided with measurable travel‑time improvements on key approaches to the Y roundabout, and they described remaining work to complete Forest Road, planned adaptive signal work and other corridor projects.

Public Works Director Kurt Harris presented a traffic dashboard and said staff are adding multiple legs of approach volumes into a single metric to reduce outliers in the data. Harris and staff said average daily traffic volumes have increased from 2024 to 2025, but Saturday peak travel times into the Y decreased on average; staff called the reduction notable and attributed it to a string of smaller SIM improvements. Staff also cited the Forest Road connection (ribbon cutting held May 12) and portal‑lane changes at Los Albergados as local projects contributing to improved flow.

Harris described next steps and larger projects that remain in design or funding phases. He said ADOT has approved a low bid and is moving toward a notice to proceed on a related travel advisory sign on I‑17; staff expect material lead times and that the sign work will begin later this year. The city is pursuing adaptive metering for the Y roundabout and other signal improvements, but Harris said the proposal requires ADOT buy‑in because many signals are on state right‑of‑way. “We have to work by their guidance and buy‑in,” Harris said, noting the city is coordinating with district traffic engineers and ADOT executive staff to validate the approach.

Staff also explained that Kimley Horn’s earlier regional modeling predicted an approximate 47% reduction in overall network delay after a completed package of SIM projects, including the parking garage and Forest Road connection; Harris said the city has captured part of that benefit already and will continue to monitor changes as remaining projects are completed.

Project status updates given to the council included:

- Forest Road connection: construction complete; landscaping and a handful of punch‑list items remain; staff reported the contractor is finish‑grading a city‑owned parcel adjacent to the project.

- SIM 1B Uptown paving: final paving work is scheduled to start in June.

- SIM 3A Uptown parking garage: structure under construction with finish work on retaining walls and facade details; staff said they have approved a change order to finalize exposed finishes.

- SIM 4C Oak Creek pedestrian crossing: project construction is complete but staff are pursuing a revised encroachment approach with ADOT after the original median/barrier design raised line‑of‑sight concerns; the city plans a warrant analysis for the crosswalk and will report back to council.

- SIM 5 projects (Ranger/Brewer and Portal Lane/Forest Road connections): easement work and funding applications are in progress. Staff said a congressional earmark request and state legislative grant applications are active; if federal funds are required, projects would need to meet federal procurement and construction standards.

Councilors asked about public outreach and driver guidance for the newly opened Forest Road route; Harris said Google Maps and city GIS updates have improved routing, and the city will continue communications and signage to help motorists adopt the new alignment. Councilors also asked for updated traffic counts on Forest Road and for the city to present additional modeling and options at future SIM updates.

What’s next: staff will continue punch‑list and landscaping work on Forest Road, finalize paving in Uptown, advance the warrant analysis for the Oak Creek crossing, and pursue ADOT coordination and grant funding for adaptive metering and Ranger/Brewer improvements. The city plans to present additional traffic counts and SIM project impacts in future SIM updates.