SUMMARY OF MEETING HELD JANUARY 28, 2003

A meeting of the Community Advisory Committee for the Craycroft Road Project was held from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the First Evangelical Free Church, 4700 N. Swan Road, Room F3. CAC members present were Kenneth Keating, Sherman Madere, D. Charles "Chuck" Freitas, Susan L. Wicks and George Larsen (representing Donald Baker). CAC members not present include Mary C. Grossman, Cecily K. Surace, David D. Wolfe, Jerry Lippman, Dale Faulkner, and Charles A. Geoffrion. Craycroft Road team members present included Salvatore Caccavale, Craig Allison, David Hook, Michael Ereti, Bill Schlesinger, Nanette Jenkins, Joy Lyndes, Annabelle Quihuis, Damon Ballesteros, Valerie Samoy, Kevin Andrews, Priscilla Thompson and Nanette Pageau.

I.

Welcome, Introductions

Sal Caccavale, meeting moderator, called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. The CAC, team members, and other interested parties introduced themselves. Sal explained there would be no formal agenda but they would present a PowerPoint presentation of which he distributed copies.

II.

CAC Mission & Process

Sal and Annabelle explained how the committee members are selected. This CAC consists of 11 members. Sal also explained the CAC process and what authority the CAC has. He explained CAC mission, which is:

1.

Review of Environmental Assessment Mitigation Report (EAMR) and Project Art

2.

Send EAMR letter to Board of Supervisors with recommendation
  

Sal distributed sample letters from other CAC committees to the members.

III.

Project Update

Sal explained the project was part of the 1997 Bond Program. The current project scope remains the same with the exception of the intersection of Craycroft Road and Sunrise Drive which was recently added. He distributed copies of the Transportation Action Plan (TAP). He reviewed the project schedule as follows:

•

Complete design by June 2004

•

Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisition throughout 2004

•

Bid the project in late 2004 

•

Construction would last 24 months from January 2005 to December 2006
  

Construction budget: Construction would cost approximately $14 million with total project cost including design, right-of-way, and administrative costs estimated around $18 million. Sal announced a project artist has been selected. His name is Keith Oliver and he is a U of A graduate. Artwork and aesthetic treatment consists of 1% of the total project cost.

IV.

New Pima County Department of Transportation Policies

Nanette Jenkins introduced new Pima County design/construction policies as follows:

a)

Environmentally Sensitive Roadway (ESR) Guidelines which protect not only the environment but other cultural resources as well. These apply to this project because Craycroft Road is a designated scenic route.

b)

Rubberized Asphalt (ARAC): Has a longer life, benefits the entire community, noise reduction characteristics and it is not as costly since the structural pavement sections required are typically thinner than with regular asphalt.

c)

Noise Policy: Explained 3dBA noise reduction due to rubberized asphalt will be used throughout the project. Analysis has not yet been done as to the impact on this project.
  

Handouts included Rubberized Asphalt Concrete and Noise Mitigation Policy, Continuing Research on the Sound Reduction Benefits of Rubberized Asphalt Pavement in Southern Arizona, Report on the Status of Rubberized Asphalt Traffic Noise Reduction in Sacramento County and backup.

Ken Keating asked if the same 67 standard would be kept. Nanette responded yes and explained that the Arizona Department of Transportation's current standard is 64 and Federal Highway Administration is 67. She said Pima County has commissioned another study to do a more thorough evaluation of the noise policy to answer a lot of questions left pending from the last study. Sal Caccavale added that this policy was recently applied to Skyline Drive, where noise mitigation was warranted in places above 67 according to the noise study.

V.

What's Next in Design

David Hook of EEC gave a quick overview of the project description. The limits are Rillito River on the south and the newly added Sunrise Drive intersection on the north. The design features include:

•

Two lanes in each direction

•

Center median

•

Shoulder area

•

Sidewalks

•

Landscaping

•

Drainage:

•

Storm drainage

•

Craycroft Wash box culvert

Intersection Improvements:

•

Realign River Road intersection to eliminate the angle

•

Adjust vertical profile for safety issues on side streets and reconnect

•

Bring intersections to existing grade

•

Resignalize Territory Drive and River Road intersection to include turn lanes

•

Retaining walls on west side
  

David also reviewed the impacts of Environmentally Sensitive Roadway Design Guidelines, the new process and flow chart and the design / mitigation methods. The primary activity will be the evaluation process. The design team will need to revisit all project resources, re-evaluate the noise analysis, the drainage report, the design concept report and public involvement will also be taken into consideration.

•

Impacts of Noise Policy:

•

Walls need to be continuous and in some cases may not be needed with new policy and new study

•

Frontage Roads may also be eliminated in some cases where they are no longer needed.

•

Retaining Walls will need to be revised, depending on the above.
  

Sal Caccavale commented that Pima County is providing quieter projects. It was noted that the noise study for the nearby Skyline project estimates that and 20 years from now it (Skyline) will be quieter than it is today.

Michael Ereti of Catalina Engineering reviewed other general design features. He discussed project-wide intersection improvements, such as: Video vehicle detection systems, pre-emption system for emergency vehicles, illuminated street signs at signals and lighting in the vicinity on the intersection. He also noted the visual theme of wire-mesh tied rock retaining walls and soil-nailed walls currently in place along Sunrise Drive west of Craycroft Road.

Michael provided details on the Sunrise Drive/Craycroft Road Intersection, as follow:

•

West Leg: 2-through lanes, single left-turn lane, single free-flow right turn lane; match new Sunrise Drive design to the west; elevation to match proposed Sunrise Drive design to the west.

•

East Leg: 2-through lanes, single left-turn lane; elevation to match existing profile before taper; 1,500 feet east of Sunrise Drive/Craycroft Road intersection.

•

North Leg: 1-through lane, single left-turn lane, single right-turn lane; elevation to match existing profile before taper; 1,000 feet north of Sunrise Drive/Craycroft Road intersection.

•

South Leg: 1-through lane, dual left-turn lanes, single right-turn lane; match new Craycroft Road design to the south; elevation to match proposed Craycroft Road to the south; 500 feet south of Sunrise Drive/Craycroft Road intersection.
  

Kenneth Keating asked if there would be enough storage room for additional left turn lanes if needed in the future. Mike responded, yes there would be.

Sal concluded the meeting by explaining what's next for the CAC. He distributed and reviewed a possible CAC meeting schedule and meeting topics coming up. He discussed with CAC members the next meeting date, which was tentatively set for the third Tuesday in March from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, pending approval from the rest of committee. Reminder notices will be sent out to all parties closer to the meeting date. Sal also noted that in addition to CAC meetings two Open Houses would be held, one around September and one towards the end of the project.

Sal then opened the meeting to take questions from the CAC members.

Chuck Freitas asked if the artist contract negotiations have taken place and if so, if there are any samples to review yet? Sal responded that the artist selected was Keith Oliver and since the project is still in such early stages there were no samples to review yet.

Sherman Madere asked about the affect of rubber asphalt over time and if it deteriorates? Sal responded that the 3dBA reduction is a conservative number and the life span of the asphalt is approximately 10 years before it needs to be maintained. Sal and Nanette explained that rubberized asphalt does last longer than asphaltic concrete. Sal said PCDOT would follow up on their projects as to noise volumes.

Alan Rosen asked if when the intersection was added, was money added as well? Sal responded yes.

Chuck Freitas asked if vertical walls along Sunrise Drive (just west of Craycroft) were in finished condition. Other members of the committee also expressed their concerns about the aesthetics on Sunrise Drive especially the final look of soil-nail walls. Sal explained it is the finished condition and that is the theme that was selected by the Sunrise Drive CAC. The county has received good and bad comments about these walls.

Jean Smith expressed her concern about crosswalks and asked if any reconfiguration of sidewalks was possible? Sal explained there would be marked sidewalks and handicapped ramps at all major intersections and at Territory Drive.

Jane Sawyer asked about the corner of Craycroft Road and Camino del Celador, about specific walls going away. Concerned about safety of 6 homeowners accessing Craycroft Road directly. The response to her was that once the noise analysis is done, we would have a better idea. Gordon Toncheff added that these homes would have no parking available for parties, etc.

Chet Chapman asked why do we need fancy median dividers? And why not just put in metal guardrail? Several CAC members responded that the general community would not agree for aesthetic reasons. Mr. Chapman also commented on how sound walls create a tunnel like effect for drivers. He finally requested that the signal on Craycroft Road for thru traffic be lengthened from 20 seconds to 40 seconds. Sal referred him to Jeff Weatherford, Pima County Traffic Engineering.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Next meeting date, was set for the third Tuesday in March (March 18th) from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

  
CORRECTIONS MADE TO THIS SUMMARY WILL APPEAR IN THE SUMMARY OF THE NEXT COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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