If an agreement with the cityof Sedona cannot be reached soon, the Arizona Department of Transportation still plans to move forward with continuous roadway lighting in West Sedona.

The Sedona City Council discussed May 25 asking ADOT for an extension from the August deadline to propose a taking over the road and voted for a resolution stating it disapproves of installing lights along State Route 89A.

“If ADOT and Sedona are unable to reach agreement on a route transfer, the construction project will be advertised for bids in August,” ADOT Director John Halikowski wrote to Mayor Rob Adams on May 24.

ADOT Public Involvement Director Teresa Welborn said its position was made extremely clear in its letter to the city.

ADOT does not support the option of it retaining ownership of State Route 89A and implementing improvements in lieu of lighting because this is not a viable option, and ADOT is continuing to prepare construction plans for pavement preservation, traffic signal installation and lighting on State Route 89A.

Welborn said ADOT will continue to work with Sedona on turning the responsibility of the road within city limits over to Sedona. The city would then be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the

state route.

Halikowski wrote if the city decided to take over the road from ADOT, Sedona would then be allowed to determine safety solutions in lieu of lighting to facilitate Sedona’s future master plan regarding land use and transportation while also assuming liability of the roadway.

If the city decides it wants to take over the road, ADOT still would provide pavement preservation and traffic signal installation.

Welborn also addressed why ADOT is not in a position to grant Sedona a lengthy extension while it studies the pros and cons of taking over the road.

ADOT received federal funds for the lighting project, but the federal year ends Thursday, Sept. 30, so if they are not allocated by this date, it would lose them.

Halikowski said ADOT must fulfill its responsibilities to taxpayers relating to safety and liability, and added the lighting solution has been approved for federal funds.

Welborn added ADOT has not closed the door on future discussions with the city and council involving the lighting issue.

“ADOT will continue to work with the city of Sedona [to come up with] decisions,” she said.

The City Council directed staff at its May 25 meeting to look at other communities that took over portions of roadways from ADOT, and asses Sedona’s liability issues and cost if this was the option council wanted to consider.