Flagstaff presents broad capital‑projects update including major road, rail and flood projects

City of Flagstaff staff used the April 14 joint work session to summarize progress and schedules for a wide range of capital improvements — from neighborhood street repairs and bike lanes to multimillion‑dollar overpasses, downtown rail projects and long‑term flood control work.

Deputy City Manager Joanne Keane and the city’s engineering and project managers framed the briefing around three near‑term themes: projects in construction, projects in design that may start build phases within the next 12–24 months, and long‑range projects that remain in design or dependent on external funding.

Key projects and budgets - John Wesley Powell Boulevard extension: Staff described a multi‑owner build that will extend the corridor through Little America and Canyon Del Rio to Fourth Street. The overall estimated cost cited in the presentation was about $51 million, with the city responsible for roughly 40% and developers for the balance. City staff said design work is underway and construction of the city’s portion is expected to start in 2026. - Butler‑Fourth Street project: Trevor Henry said the corridor will be widened to four lanes with separated bike/ped facilities and roundabouts; the estimated construction budget was about $28 million of which the city expects a $19 million federal BUILD/RAISE grant and a $10 million city match from Proposition 4‑19 funds. Staff said design would continue through the year with construction in the following seasons. - Butler Avenue Complete Streets: Staff said the separated, elevated bike/ped facilities on Butler from Milton to Sawmill are funded primarily through federal grants (about $9.6 million SS4A Safe Streets for All and $2.4 million AZ Smart Fund) and expected to enter construction across two seasons after design. - Lone Tree overpass and corridor: Christine Cameron gave the design overview for a project that includes a grade‑separated rail crossing over BNSF, widening Lone Tree to four lanes and a Route 66 connection. The current project estimate presented was about $161 million; construction of the corridor portion began in late February and the team hopes to proceed with the overpass component next season. - Downtown mile / rail‑area improvements: The city and BNSF are delivering a package of rail‑area projects including pedestrian underpasses, the Milton underpass redesign, Rio de Flag pedestrian underpass, grade‑crossing safety upgrades and Amtrak platform work. Staff said the combined estimate is in the low‑$60 million range, with city, BNSF and federal funds contributing.

Flood control and SpruceWash - Rio de Flag flood control project: Christine Cameron briefed the Army Corps of Engineers–led project that aims to reduce the 100‑year floodplain through downtown. Staff quoted a current estimate of about $243 million and said the Corps and city are evaluating changes after the Corps notified partners of substantial cost increases. The Corps planned a change‑control board review in June; staff said the Corps may use alternate phasing to begin construction in 2026 with available funds. - SpruceWash suite of projects: The city reviewed a program of ten projects born from Proposition 4‑41 (approved in 2022) to mitigate post‑Museum Fire flood impacts. Keane and staff said the program’s budget has increased from an initial $26 million to about $39 million as the team layered additional city and grant funds (Propositions 4‑19 and 4‑06, water revenues and NRCS funds). Several northern components were in construction with southern components progressing through design; staff said one intersection (Cedar/Lockett) would close to traffic on or after May 23 to allow a roundabout contractor to work and that the project team coordinated closures with school calendars.

Phasing, coordination and risks City staff repeatedly emphasized the need to coordinate multiple large projects so work zones and detours do not overlap needlessly. For the Rio de Flag flood control project, staff said the Corps’ cost increase notice requires reexamination of phasing and additional funding conversations. For the Lone Tree, downtown rail and Butler projects, staff said they were working with ADOT, BNSF, federal grant conditions and private developers to align design, permitting and construction timelines.

Speech and community engagement Council members and county supervisors asked detailed questions about traffic detours, impacts to schools and pedestrian safety at the Cedar/Lockett roundabout, the potential Mormon temple development near Butler and Fourth and whether federal grant changes would affect active‑transportation elements. Trevor Henry said federal engagement had been positive and that the city’s delegation had discussed grants with U.S. Department of Transportation staff.

Speakers cited in this article include Joanne Keane (Deputy City Manager), Paul Mood (City Engineer), Trevor Henry (Capital Improvements Engineer) and Christine Cameron (Senior Project Manager).