Sedona council reviews Sedona in Motion roundabout, roadway and multimodal updates

Sedona City Council heard staff updates on the Sedona in Motion (SIM) transportation program, including proposed changes to roundabout geometry, a Ranger Road extension to offer a Wye bypass and a series of pedestrian and bicycle connections, during a council meeting.

Staff said the package of projects is intended to increase connectivity around Uptown and soften peak‑visitation congestion. Curt Harris, staff member, introduced the briefing as “this is another follow‑up, from our previous SIM updates,” and showed a narrated video and sequence of design exhibits intended for public outreach.

The presentation showed a multi‑element approach: a Ranger–Brewer roundabout and a Ranger Road extension that would let some motorists bypass the Wye intersection; a Forest/89A roundabout on Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) right of way; a planned parking garage and access changes including a Portal Brewer one‑way customer exit; additional shared‑use paths for pedestrians and cyclists; an Oak Creek pedestrian underpass; and expanded shuttle/transit messaging and preemption features for buses. Harris noted the Forest/89A project catalogued as part of the SIM list has reached a design milestone and was submitted to ADOT for an encroachment permit. He also said Corps of Engineers coordination for Soldier’s Wash work has been completed for the Ranger/Brewer element.

Mayor Joblo summarized the intended effect of the program: “This is eliminating pinch points and making things flow better,” he said, while advising council and the public that the projects will not eliminate visitation or overall traffic volume. Staff stressed the interventions are intended to redistribute movements and create bypass options rather than restrict visitation.

Council members pressed staff on several design choices. Several raised concern about the Brewer intersection, which the video shows converted to a right‑in/right‑out configuration rather than removed entirely. Vice Mayor Ploog asked why the roundabout would not be removed; staff responded the modified geometry preserves traffic‑calming and reduces construction cost compared with full removal. Councilor Kinsella and other members asked whether the modified geometry reduced capacity and whether the short left‑turn movement on northbound 179 toward Ranger Road would be safe; staff replied the VISSIM traffic model indicates that, under congestion, the southbound approach has less friction and that preemption and a slip lane are being studied to improve operations and transit movement.

Staff said the Forest/89A roundabout design is on ADOT right of way and that ADOT encroachment permitting will govern portions of construction. Harris said the team is seeking discretionary grant funding to phase the two roundabout projects and that, “as part of your direction, we’re trying to find out where our funding source is gonna come from, so we can phase the 2 project roundabouts to start the 1 that we have with grant funding.”

The presentation included maps and a VISSIM model output used to justify geometry decisions. Staff said the objective is to create gaps that keep the Wye roundabout in free flow; council requested the supporting analysis and data be provided to clarify tradeoffs between safety, capacity and cost before final decisions on geometry.

Staff also described planned outreach with adjacent landowners and neighborhoods – including a planned early contact with Mormon Hill residents about proposed shared‑use paths – and said the outreach materials would include the video shown to council. Public comment included one speaker, Sean Smith (Sedona resident), asking the council to consider removing the Brewer roundabout entirely to provide an extended slip lane; staff said the Ranger/Forest connection would be close to the location Smith described and offered to discuss the idea further with him.

No formal motions or votes were recorded on the SIM items during the presentation; staff said they would return to council with updates on funding, permitting (including ADOT encroachment permit requirements) and the results of the Kimley Horn data collection and VISSIM memo. The council directed staff to continue neighborhood outreach and to provide the supporting modeling and permitting materials before seeking further direction or action.

The council discussion continued with detailed questions about sidewalk and bike facility connections, the planned pedestrian underpass at Oak Creek, and coordination with transit service for signal preemption and a possible future ride‑exchange facility.