The subject of an alternate route returned to Sedona City Council Chambers in the guise of a $70,000 transportation feasibility study.

By Susan Johnson
Larson Newspapers

The subject of an alternate route returned to Sedona City Council Chambers in the guise of a $70,000 transportation feasibility study.
On Tuesday, March 25, Melissa Sartorius, of the design firm EDAW, told City Council that an alternate route is a practical consideration, based on delays projected to occur at the intersection of Hwy. 179 and Hwy. 89A by 2030.
City Manager Eric Levitt said that the study was commissioned to determine whether or not there was actually a need for another way to get from Hwy. 179 to Hwy. 89A.
If so, the city would first have to conduct a full-fledged National Environmental Policy Act study, a project that, two years ago, was estimated to cost $2 million.
Levitt wanted to avoid paying the larger amount if no practical need was determined.
Councilwoman Nancy Scagnelli was pleased with the results of the study.
“We were all elected, except for Rob Adams, because we all support an alternate route and here we have it in black and white that there’s a purpose and a need,” Scagnelli said.
However, most of the other members of the council were critical of what they perceived as major gaps in the report.
EDAW only looked at traffic data from Hwy. 179 and considered a bridge as the only means of addressing traffic issues, without looking at non-road options including park and ride lots and enhanced public transportation.
Neither did EDAW conduct discussions with members of the community nor with the three Yavapai County supervisors regarding their support of the project or promise of funding.
EDAW estimated a bridge would cost between $5 million and $15 million, which doesn’t include any costs of improving connecting roads, all of which would need major expansions to accommodate additional traffic.
No total cost of the project was brought forward by the firm, but council members discussed the lack of funds available from the city to maintain existing roads much less find dollars to build a new thoroughfare.
One way around municipal funding would be to construct a private toll bridge that would charge $10 to $20 per crossing, however, council wasn’t certain whether or not an adequate number of commuters would be able or willing to pay a toll that was high enough to cover the cost of a bond and its related debt service.
Council asked City Attorney Mike Goimarac if support from the community could be ascertained by ballot.
“Probably not, but there’s a different standard and some case law for a voter-initiated referendum,” Goimarac said.
One mitigating factor that addresses certain community safety issues is the expected construction and staffing this year of a new fire station in the Chapel area by the Sedona Fire District.
No action was taken on the item as council wanted to wait for traffic data generated after the construction on Hwy. 179 is complete, a project estimated to take another 18 months.

Susan Johnson can be reached at
282-7795, Ext. 129 or e-mail
sjohnson@larsonnewspapers.com