Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly yesterday announced Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants for transportation projects in Phoenix, Cochise County, Navajo Nation, Pima County, and Yuma County totaling $60,777,742.
The successful Cochise County grant application for $2,057,500 will enable the County to complete the preliminary design engineering and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance for an approximate 22-mile segment of Davis Road, a major East-West connector between SR-80 and US-191.
The concept plan will be designed to:
Enhance the resiliency of the area’s roadway infrastructure.
Reduce fatalities by creating a safe and accessible corridor.
Remediate recurring monsoon season flooding events.
Provide improved benefits and connections (healthcare, services, jobs etc.) to a historically disadvantaged portion of the County.
Accommodate the heavier weights and frequency of travel needed to support the movement of goods and people from the international border to and through Cochise County.
Alleviate increased commercial freight traffic resulting from the new Douglas Land Port of Entry when it opens in 2028.
Serve as a driver to the economy.
Jackie Watkins, Director of Engineering and Natural Resources, said “The County is excited to receive this grant for preliminary design on Phase 2 of Davis Road, from Central Highway to SR80. This will continue the improvements of the construction design plans of Phase 1, from US191 to Central Highway.”
The broader project to widen and re-surface David Road is a multi-year commitment which will be completed in several stages, with this step making more progress towards a robust route which will complement the new commercial port of entry when it opens as well as providing improved access for local traffic.