Project Background
Pima Road was identified as a major point of connection between the City of Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) in 2006. SRPMIC, the City of Scottsdale, and then Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) partnered to conduct roadway capacity and environmental studies, as well as community outreach. Those studies resulted in the Pima Road – McDowell Road to 90th Street Final Design Concept Report (2009 DCR) which has served as the guiding document for improvements completed over the previous 10+ years.
In 2019, SRPMIC was awarded a 49.8-million-dollar grant, through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to complete the recommended roadway improvements to Pima Road from McDowell Road to Via Linda, based on the 2009 DCR. The project also includes intersection improvements to all major intersections, landscape improvements between Via de Ventura and Loop 101 Freeway, and regional drainage improvements, based on the Granite Reef Watershed (GRW) Study.
Pima Road is co-owned by SRPMIC and the City of Scottsdale. While SRPMIC is lead agency, they're in partnership with the City and FHWA to complete this project. Other funding partners include Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC).
FAQs
The project will add to the capacity of Pima Road and provide multi-modal transportation improvements to enhance regional mobility and complement the freeway system. Additionally, this project will include major regional drainage improvements associated with Granite Reef Watershed Study that are within Pima Road and SRPMIC jurisdiction.
Pima Road traffic volumes range from 5,000 vehicles per day (VPD) at the south end of the project to 12,000 VPD at the north end.
Yes, a raised landscaped median island will be constructed on Pima Road throughout the project limits.
Yes, Pima Road from McDowell Road to Krail Street will include bike lanes on each side of the road.
A noise analysis was prepared for Pima Road from McDowell Road to Krail Street, where capacity improvements will occur. As part of the noise analysis, existing noise levels were measured to establish current noise levels and to validate the model. Future traffic volumes provided by MAG were used to predict the noise levels that may occur after the project is constructed. The noise analysis indicated that no noise mitigation measures will be required for this project.
Based on the results of the noise analysis completed along Pima Road from McDowell Road to Krail Street, no noise mitigation measures will be required for this project.
There will be no impacts to existing walls.
The improvements in this segment of Pima Road are new landscape and landscape irrigation in the existing raised medians.
Studies have been conducted comparing rubberized and conventional asphalt and determined that there were no noticeable differences in noise abatement. Because rubberized asphalt costs significantly more than conventional asphalt and deteriorates approximately twice as fast, the City of Scottsdale no longer uses it on their roadways, and will not be used on this project.
Drainage will be improved in two primary areas:
- Regional drainage improvements associated with the Granite Reef Watershed (GRW): This project will construct the portion of the GRW improvements within the SRPMIC. This includes storm drain enhancements from Thomas Road to the Salt River. Learn More About GRW
- Local drainage improvements on Pima Road: This project will construct a new storm drain and inlets to collect stormwater run-off along Pima Road from Thomas Road to Krail Street.
No, the portion of the Granite Reef Watershed improvements will provide an important component of the improvements necessary to lift the flood insurance requirement; however, the City of Scottsdale must build the portion within their jurisdiction to capture the 100-year storm and complete the regional drainage project.
The improvements at the Via Linda/90th Street intersection will add a new median island to create a dedicated northbound to eastbound right turn movement, as well as reconstruct the intersection to remove valley gutters and improve drivability through the intersection.
Construction is estimated to be complete in winter 2026.
During construction, speed limits may be reduced in the interest of safety of construction crews and travelers; however, there will be no modification of speed limits on Pima Road once the improvements are complete.
In general, the project will seek to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction on Pima Road. While no long-term closures are anticipated, short-term closures may be necessary (including major intersections along Pima Road) due to the work effort. During construction, signage will be placed in advance to notify travelers of any upcoming road closures and the anticipated duration.
