9/7/2006 4:00:00 AM Glassford Hill Road extension Supervisors OK engineering contract
By PAULA RHODEN The Daily Courier
PRESCOTT The Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a $125,860 engineering contract with Dava & Associates that will get the wheels rolling on the Glassford Hill Road extension.
The project extends Glassford Hill Road from Highway 89A in Prescott Valley to Highway 89 at Outer Loop Road in Chino Valley and from Outer Loop Road to Williamson Valley Road.
Public Works Director Phil Bourdon said Dava & Associates studied the extension as part of a January 2002 Corridor Evaluation/Location report. He said the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization Regional Transportation Study draft recommends providing a continuous controlled access road from Highway 89A to Highway 89.
The study also recommends connecting the extension with a realigned Outer Loop Road, creating a controlled access corridor to Williamson Valley Road.
During an Aug. 17 study session, the supervisors indicated a willingness to begin the design phase and identify necessary right-of-way purchases.
Supervisor Carol Springer, a member of the CYMPO executive board, asked if the proposed extension is a six-lane divided highway.
Bourdon said initially the road would be a four-lane divided highway. He said the county would buy rights-of-way to expand the road to six lanes to accommodate future needs.
The board also approved the Regional Road Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
Supervisor Chip Davis pointed out that the Glassford Hill Road extension was not part of the five-year plan.
"You caught me," Bourdon said. "I didn't know if the contract would be approved. I will adjust the spreadsheet."
Bourdon said the estimated cost is $70 million to $80 million for the corridor.
Bourdon said Public Works officials are working to determine if other agencies would partner with the county.
Springer said the extension area is a checkerboard of private and state land. She asked how long it takes to work with state officials on approving rights-of-way.
Bourdon said negotiations with state officials typically take 18 months.
Springer said county officials would talk to Arizona Department of Transportation officials about the possibility of the road becoming a state highway.
