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ADOT presents Sonoran Corridor Tier 2 study; Sahuarita officials and residents push for alternatives and protections
Summary
ADOT and its contractor WSP updated Sahuarita on the Tier 2 Sonoran Corridor study, which refines a previously identified 2,000‑foot corridor toward a proposed 400‑foot right‑of‑way. Councilmembers and residents raised concerns about home acquisitions, impacts to schools, alignment alternatives (including tribal land options), the project's roughly $1 billion 2021 cost estimate, and the multi‑year, unfunded nature of construction.
ADOT and consultant WSP briefed the Town of Sahuarita council on the Sonoran Corridor Tier 2 study, a NEPA‑compliant process to refine an approximately 2,000‑foot corridor into potential alignments that could be narrowed to a roughly 400‑foot right‑of‑way.
The presentation described the study segmentation, public outreach results (about 700 questionnaires and roughly 2,000 responses), and options under consideration: continue the study as planned; shorten the study limits to examine segments of independent utility; or alter the ultimate roadway type to match updated 2055 traffic forecasts. ADOT/WSP also said a preferred alternative will be recommended after environmental and engineering studies are completed; the Tier 1 study selected the broad corridor in 2021.
Councilmembers and residents raised repeated concerns that the current alignment could require acquisition or demolition of more than 40 acres of existing homes, could bisect neighborhoods, and could place a corridor near several schools. Multiple speakers asked ADOT to revisit alternatives, including routing that would cross the Tohono O'odham Nation and avoid new home acquisitions. ADOT said it will take feedback to leadership and local agencies and expects to return to the public with refined alternatives in the spring; the presenter reiterated the project is not currently funded and construction timing will depend on future funding.
During the discussion, a council member reminded the public that not having a line on the map makes municipal planning challenging; others emphasized trying to find alignments that minimize disruption to existing residents. ADOT noted a 2021 order‑of‑magnitude construction estimate of about $1 billion for the corridor and said the tiered process is expected to take about three years total, with roughly two years remaining in the Tier 2 phase.
No council vote or formal commitment on alignment occurred at the meeting; ADOT will incorporate local feedback as it refines alternatives.
