ADOT selects final North-South Corridor route in Pinal County

Following several years of study, technical analysis and input from communities and stakeholders, the Arizona Department of Transportation has selected a final 55-mile North-South Corridor through Pinal County. The Final Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD), which was released today, identifies the selected corridor, which stretches from the U.S. 60 in Apache Junction to Interstate 10 in Eloy in Pinal County. The study also incorporates a proposed extension of State Route 24 from Ironwood Drive to the North-South Corridor.

The Final Tier 1 EIS is available on the ADOT website and at repository locations throughout the study area. Because the Record of Decision is the final decision-making document for the Tier 1 study, there is no formal comment period for the Final Tier 1 EIS and ROD.

A continuous, access-controlled north-to-south transportation corridor would:

• Improve access to future activity centers
• Improve regional mobility
• Improve north-to-south connectivity
• Integrate the region's transportation network
• Address existing and future population and employment growth
• Provide an alternative to avoid congestion on I-10

The Final Tier 1 EIS, conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), incorporates changes based on comments received on the Draft Tier 1 EIS, as well as updated analyses based on new information. The Draft Tier 1 EIS was published on Sept. 6, 2019 and made available for review and comment from Sept. 6 through Oct. 29, 2019, with public hearings held in October 2019.

The Draft Tier 1 EIS evaluated the potential short- and long-term impacts associated with a range of Corridor Alternatives, including the No-Build Alternative, and recommended a Preferred Corridor Alternative. The Corridor Alternatives were developed based on input from the public; coordination with local, regional, state and federal agencies and tribes; and findings from previously completed studies.

The identification of the Preferred Corridor Alternative in the Draft Tier 1 EIS was based on how well it met the purpose and need while reducing the potential for adverse impacts.
North South Selected Corridor

How to View the Final Tier 1 EIS/ROD
The public is invited to view the Final Tier 1 EIS/ROD by clicking here to view a pdf copy. Hard copies are also available during normal business hours at the following repository locations:

• Eloy Santa Cruz Library, 1000 N. Main St., Eloy, AZ 85131 520.466.3814
• Coolidge Public Library, 160 W. Central Ave., Coolidge, AZ 85128 520.723.6030
  
• Florence Community Library, 778 N. Main St., Florence, AZ 85132 520.868.7500
  
• Apache Junction Public Library, 1177 N. Idaho Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85119 480.474.8558
  
• Queen Creek Library, 21802 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142 602.652.3000
  

What is Next for the North-South Corridor?
Subsequent Tier 2 environmental and engineering studies would need to be conducted as part of the NEPA process to further refine the selected 1,500-foot North-South Corridor to identify a recommended 400-foot freeway alignment and identify planned interchange locations and other project elements. The Final Tier 1 EIS includes a phased implementation plan with preliminary recommendations for how the North-South Corridor could move forward into Tier 2 studies. The phased implementation plan includes smaller segments of the selected corridor alternative that may advance as separate, independent projects. These studies, which are not yet fully funded, would include additional analysis and more opportunities for public review and comment.

ADOT is considering all funding options to move the North-South Corridor through the Tier 2 study process and eventually to construction.

More Information
For more information about the North-South Corridor Study or to view the project fact sheet below.