In a bid to reignite progress on a debated section of Interstate 11, a Phoenix Republican is proposing a strategy to split the project into parts. The move aims to advance construction despite ongoing legal battles.
A New Approach to I-11 Progress
Rep. Matt Gress’s proposal to the Arizona Department of Transportation suggests appealing to the Federal Highway Administration to treat the interstate stretch from Casa Grande to Wickenburg as a separate entity. This tactic could potentially sidestep delays caused by a lawsuit concerning environmental oversight on the route from Casa Grande to Nogales.
However, the proposal has sparked opposition from various quarters. Concerns are not only about the procedural tactic but also about the broader implications and necessity of building I-11. The financial estimates for the project range from $3.1 billion to $7.3 billion, a cost that has raised eyebrows across party lines.
Financial and Environmental Concerns
Sen. Mitzi Epstein (D-Tempe) points out the substantial financial burden, highlighting that even if the federal government funds 90% of the construction, the state would still bear maintenance costs. “We don’t take care of the freeways and the roadways we have now,” she remarked.
Sen. Brian Fernandez of Yuma echoes these concerns, noting that Arizona’s gasoline tax, a key source of road repair funding, has remained unchanged since 1990. Infrastructure outside Maricopa County varies greatly, with some roads in poor condition.
Republican voices also express skepticism. Sen. Vince Leach (R-Tucson) contends, “We can’t keep up our own roads,” stressing the additional financial obligations for connecting new highways with existing infrastructure. Despite these concerns, Gress’s proposal advanced through the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Transportation, and Technology with a 6-4 party line vote.
Ongoing Environmental Impacts and Legal Challenges
The push for segmentation is partly a response to a 2022 lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and allied groups. They argue that the proposed route was planned without adequate environmental assessments, particularly around Tucson. A controversial option would route I-11 near sensitive areas, including Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park.
Russell McSpadden of the Center for Biological Diversity highlighted potential cultural and ecological disruptions, saying, “Every Arizonan should be deeply concerned about the thinking of Federal Highway and ADOT here, that they would run a major interstate between a national park and a national monument and right smack through really culturally rich, archaeologically rich valley that’s important to tribes.”
The Federal Highway Administration has temporarily halted further planning to reassess its environmental impact statement, with a decision expected later this year. The agency will allow public comments once a decision is reached.
Segmentation and its Implications
Gress argues that separating the Casa Grande to Wickenburg segment could expedite progress on that section while leaving the more contentious southern portion unaltered. Yet, Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter contests this view, stating that the lawsuit addresses environmental concerns along the entire proposed route.
Bahr also raises questions about the strategic necessity of the interstate, suggesting it could lead to urban sprawl and environmental degradation. “It would destroy pristine Sonoran desert, harm threatened desert tortoises, harm wildlife,” she warned, also questioning the lack of alternative transport solutions like rail.
Political Dynamics and Future Prospects
Despite these challenges, Gress claims bipartisan support for his segmentation strategy, citing backing from several federal representatives, including Sen. Mark Kelly. “All this is saying is: ADOT, apply to the Federal Highway Administration for segmentation,” he explained.
Nonetheless, the proposal’s path forward remains uncertain. Should the bill pass, it would require Governor Katie Hobbs’s approval. So far, Hobbs has maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing a balance between progress and sustainability amid ongoing environmental and economic debates.
While work on other segments of Interstate 11 is underway, including improvements to U.S. 93, the future of the Casa Grande to Wickenburg stretch—and indeed the entire I-11 project—remains in flux.
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