MORE FUNDS FOR HOUGHTON ROAD!

On April 28, 2011 the RTA Board voted to provide their portion of the funding for the Valencia to Irvington Road segment of Houghton Road.  After three and a half years of public meetings on Houghton Road and after three years of work by the Ward 4 Citizen Design Review Committee (W4CDRD), City Transportation staff and our consultants, funding for the first major segment of Houghton Road came together at the RTA Board table.

During the last two months, I have met with members of the Board of Supervisors to discuss the importance and relevance of moving the Houghton Road widening forward.  It is with their support and involvement that Pima County was able to provide the County’s contribution of $7.5 million to this section of the project.  Coupled with the City’s $5.2 million contribution and the RTA’s $17 million, the project is now ready to go to bid.  MJ Dillard, City Transportation Project Manager for Houghton Road, expects to see construction begin as soon as July of this year.

RTA staff also made a presentation to the RTA Board on the Value Analysis report for the segments of Houghton Road that are not yet in design.  The report acknowledges the excellent work done by City Transportation staff and our consultants as it relates to design and cost savings for the Valencia to Irvington segment.  Notwithstanding that good work, additional savings were identified through future alterations to the City’s design standards. 

At my request, the Mayor asked the RTA Board for more time for review and public input and City Council comment.  That request was granted.  If you would like to see the report and provide comments, please go to this link: http://www.rtamobility.com/documents/projectreview/HoughtonRoadValueAnalysis. Your comments will be shared with the rest of Mayor and Council as well as with City and RTA staff. 

I believe that by working together, we will continue to experience success as this project moves forward. 

I am very thankful for the support of the Mayor and the Council, the Board of Supervisors, the RTA Board and staff, city staff, and the public on this important project.  I look forward to the preparation of the construction documents for the next southern segment, which is from Valencia to Old Vail Road.  Northern segments that do not require a match from the County are expected to move forward soon as well.

The widening of Houghton Road represents jobs and opportunities for commercial and retail development which will provide more jobs in the near future. It is a time I am looking forward to as we prosper together.