Community
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Traffic lined up on SR179 on April 23, 2008
waiting to cross the oak creek bridge by
Tlaquepaque. Waiting times from Morgan
Road to the "Y" can sometimes be 25 minutes, for about a 1 mile
stretch of roadway. Elephant Rock (part of
the Twin Buttes) is in the background. |
EDITORIAL
Sedona Phase II construction
taking its toll
But long term benefits outweigh short term costs
by Carl Jackson, Editor | Sedona.biz
Sedona, AZ - April 23, 2008 -
As the editor and publisher of one of Sedona's
leading internet news sites, I feel both a sense of
duty to Sedona and an obligation to fair news
reporting when it comes to discussing the SR 179
Phase II construction.
Writing about the current mess might be considered
public blasphemy by some, because it could further drive a stake into the
heart of Sedona tourism precisely at the moment when Sedona's small businesses
need it most.
But as a news site that needs to be fair and
balanced, what worth are we if we don't let people know what's
happening, so
they can adjust the route they take into Sedona?
For those who don't know, the Arizona
Department of Transportation (ADOT) is currently widening,
realigning, and enhancing State Route 179 into Sedona. Phase I
dealt with the Village of Oak Creek. Phase II won't be
completed until late 2009.
According to Mary Schnack, Communications Manager
for the ADOT Project Manager Team, "SR179 was
built in the 1930s as a forest service road, and the
last time it was improved was 25 years ago..."
Unfortunately, the highway has not kept up with
the times. There are no shoulders, no turning
lanes, no scenic pull-outs, no sidewalks or bike
lanes, and no intersection controls. Ms. Schnack
said Project II is intended to correct all this.
Part of the realignment entails
creating a new SR179 southbound lane and converting the current two
lane highway into the northbound lane. The southbound
portion is now open, and I must say it looks mighty nice. It's
amazing how a different elevation can create a whole new perspective
on Sedona's red rocks. The views of Courthouse Butte and Bell
Rock are breathtaking, as is Cathedral Rock.
Once the construction is complete, there will
be bike lanes and sidewalks extending all the way
from the Village of Oak Creek to the "Y" in Uptown.
My wife and I love to walk, so this is going to be
great.
We live on Morgan Road by the Broken Arrow
trailhead, and ADOT is also putting a roundabout at the end
of our road. I, for one, like the roundabouts because they
smooth out traffic flows, don't require traffic lights that would
harm our dark skies, and slow down traffic. On a busy day, we
could wait for what feels like an eternity exiting Morgan Road,
especially if we need to cross both lanes heading to VOC. I
think the new roundabout will help alleviate much of
this problem.
When the construction is complete, Sedona will the
better for it, I'm convinced.
That's the good part.
Now, the bad part.
If you're driving into
Sedona via SR179, be prepared to be aggravated. Traffic jams can
often extend all the way up to Morgan Road, and waiting times can
last 25 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic. If you want to
shop in West Sedona, give yourself 40 minutes for driving time, and
if you're driving from the Village of Oak Creek,
"God help you."
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Construction in front of Tlaquepaque on
April 23, 2008. |
Last night my neighbor and I ate
dinner in VOC because we couldn't stand the thought
of driving into West Sedona. I've see cars
sitting in line toward Sedona turn around because
they couldn't wait any longer. Since the only
other way into Sedona is via Beaverhead Flat Road,
all I could say is, "good luck."
For those who live on SR 179, be
prepared for the road widening to impact your home.
In some cases, the new SR 179 might be right next to
your house (read:
SR179 road widening impacts Sedona home).
For tourists, I recommend driving
into West Sedona via 260 to 89A, but be prepared for
roadwork at the "Y" if you intend to drive into
Uptown.
Related article:
City of Sedona, Chamber, and ADOT partner to lighten
impact of SR179 construction project
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