With the Uptown improvements under its collective belt, the city of Sedona is now focused on several other projects as part of the ongoing Sedona in Motion transporta­tion plan.

The Sedona City Council was given an update on the progress of the various projects — many of which are nearing the completion of the design phase — during the Wednesday, Feb. 24, meeting.

“In general, I think we’d say the project has been an overwhelming success,” Engineering Supervisor Stephen Craver said of the Uptown work.

In 2017, council approved a half-cent sales tax increase with the plan to help cover the costs of the projected $35 million SIM plan.

The following is a brief update on the various proposed SIM projects:

■ SIM-4C Pedestrian Crossing at Tlaquepaque

The design contract for this project was approved by Council on Sept. 24, 2019. Project design and review has progressed from scoping to a 90% design development stage.

Stakeholder meetings on the 90% plans identified a potential impact the pathway alignment may pose to some existing mature trees.

Staff suspended project design to further evaluate the impact and assess realign­ment and/or modifications to the pathways support structure to avoid or mini­mize impacts. A potential realignment option together with modifications to the pathway support structures has recently been identified. The option will require an amendment to accommo­date the redesign effort by the consultant in the amount of $111,113, which council approved.

■ SIM-3A Uptown Parking Garage

Staff has initiated design efforts with the architect. Some of the initial design efforts underway include geotechnical site investiga­tions, site survey and design scoping for the parking structure. The design scoping effort, which includes evalu­ation of sustainable technol­ogies and structure design elements will establish the narrative and approach to design of the structure.

■ SIM-4A, Y Roundabout Modernization

Modeling and analysis of the two-month testing of the directional signing and turn restrictions did not indicate enough of a benefit to continue moving forward with the project as previously scoped. As a result, the proposal to put a slip lane from SR 89A from West Sedona to southbound State Route 179 through the ADOT property will not be pursued, no lanes will be added or changed and there will be no encroachment on private property.

■ SIM-5A Portal/ Ranger/Brewer Road Connections

The intent of these improvements is to require vehicles that enter the parking lot to exit out to Ranger Road and provide signage for vehicles coming from the south side of Soldier Wash to use that exit if their destination is West Sedona or Uptown. Design is nearly complete for the Ranger Road connection through the Tlaquepaque parking lot and the city sewer lift station. Construction of these improvements is pending acquisition of the necessary access easement.

Staff is also now coordi­nating with Los Abrigados to provide a connection from their property through the city-owned Ranger Station property to Brewer Road. Prior to finalizing design for the project, staff will present the project to the Planning and Zoning Commission, as it will require an amendment to the existing Ranger Station Park Master Plan.

■ SIM-5B Forest Road Connection

Design of the project stands at the 90% devel­opment stage. Plans have been reviewed by ADOT with only minor comments remaining for final approval, and a 90% utility plan review has been completed as well as 90% stakeholder plan review meetings. Current project activity is focused on completing appraisals for partial acquisitions for support of the roadway right-of-way as well as sloping and drainage ease­ments and moving design forward to 100%.

■ SIM-7/8 Enhanced Transit Service

Citizen surveys, including the most recent budget survey, have consistently shown a majority of the community supporting transit including supporting an extension of the existing transportation sales tax beyond the 10-year time­frame in order to pay for transit [60% support].

At the Aug. 11, 2020, council meeting, staff was directed to proceed with accepting a Federal Transit Administration grant in the amount of $132,800 toward the hiring of a transit administrator posi­tion. The position was recently filled by Robert Weber, who is currently getting acquainted with his new position and informing himself on details and matters associated with the proposed new transit system and center.

■ SIM-11 Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements

These projects focus on improvements that can make walking and bicycling safer, more convenient and more comfortable. The improve­ments the city is currently pursuing begin the path toward a more bike-friendly and walkable Sedona.

Currently there are several projects that include shared-use paths under construction: Dry Creek Road, Sanborn and Thunder Mountain Road, Sunset Drive and Shelby Drive. Other shared use pathway projects, such as Posse Ground Parking and Soldier Pass Road, Chapel Road, Navoti Drive to Dry Creek Road and Pinon Drive are complete relative to design and pending construction as budgets permit.

■ SIM-12, Traveler Information

ADOT has been displaying travel times to Sedona on the I-17 corridor since December 2018. Staff continues to engage ADOT to ensure that the informa­tion provided to travelers is meaningful and accom­plishes the objectives of the city. The data source for the ADOT signs has been compared with the city’s data, and it is accurate within a couple minutes. Staff is continuing to monitor data and is in process of analyzing what effect the signage may have.