Area Service Highway
The Area Service Highway is a 23 mile, 4 lane highway linking Interstate
8 at the Araby Road Interchange to Avenue E at County 23rd Street
in San Luis, Arizona. The Area Service Highway corridor concept
was developed in response to the growing transportation needs in
Yuma County and is part of the 1995-2015 County-wide Transportation
Plan (CTP). The purpose of the Highway is to provide a high speed,
limited access highway from the U.S./Mexico border at San Luis,
Az. to Interstate 8. Figure 1 shows the route of the highway.
The Area Service Highway is expected to play a major role in serving
economic development and growth. Coupled with a proposed new port
of entry (POE) at the U.S./Mexico border at Avenue E, the Expressway
will constitute a major linkage to serve international trade. It
will add roadway capacity in the border area to serve increased
industrial activity on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. Beyond
the implications for U.S. Mexico trade, the Expressway can play
a role in Pacific Rim trade. As Yuma International Airport expands
its air cargo operations, the Area Service Highway and the new POE
would combine to enhance the accessibility of the Airport, which
in turn would facilitate the flow of goods between Mexican ports
and major U.S. metropolitan areas in Arizona and other states.
Commercial truck traffic at the border is expected to increase to
1200 trucks a day by the year 2015. As a truck bypass route the
Area Service Highway will divert truck traffic from the central
business areas in San Luis, Somerton, and Yuma.
Estimated cost of the Area Service Highway is $ 86.7 million. On
January 7, 1999, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)
signed an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Yuma, Yuma
County, the City of San Luis, Az., the Cocopah Indian Tribe and
the Town of Wellton, defining the cost allocation among the participating
entities. These local governments have agreed to bear $ 28 million
of the actual cost, upon completion. $14.1 million will be in the
form of turnback credits from ADOT, $ 750,000 in TEA-21 Project
appropriated funds and $13,150,000 local contribution. ADOT will
bear the remaining costs (approx. 60%).
To date, both a Major Investment Study and a Design Concept report
are complete. The Environmental Assessment is in the final stages
of preparation.
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