Arizona State and Local Government Documents Collection

The Arizona State Rail Plan (SRP) is the first comprehensive assessment of the stateís rail needs and was initiated in response to the increasing involvement by ADOT in freight and passenger rail issues. The SRP serves to identify the current rail system, to determine infrastructure needs, and to have rail projects included in the state's long-range planning processes to improve regional and statewide safety mobility. The principle purpose is to convey the magnitude of the rail needs in the state and set forth a policy framework through which strategic actions can be taken to realize the full potential of passenger and freight rail transportation.

The focus of this sub-regional study is the roadway system in an area of southern Navajo and Apache Counties bounded by the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside in the south, the Town of Snowflake in the north, Pulp Mill Road to the west, and the Concho area in Apache County to the east.

Identifies transportation infrastructure investments that may help leverage the economic potential of the study area and foster future land development. Describes the study area’s existing and future transportation conditions and presents transportation framework recommendations based on planning by Aztec Land & Cattle Company, the Town of Snowflake and Taylor, and Navajo County. It presents findings from case studies on inland ports and rural industrial developments and discusses possible funding sources and strategies for infrastructure investment.

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Maricopa Association of Governments are cooperating in the designation of a specific route for the CANAMEX Corridor in the Maricopa Region. Kimley-Horn and Associates, under contract to ADOT, provided technical assistance to ADOT and MAG in support of the high-level evaluation of route alternatives. The purpose of this study is to provide technical assistance, not to evaluate or select a preferred route alternative.

In fiscal year 2011, Chino Valley Unified School District’s student achievement was similar to peer district and state averages, and its operational efficiencies were mixed with some costs higher and some costs lower than peer districts’ averages. The District’s per-pupil administrative costs were slightly higher than peer districts’ because the District employed more administrative positions per pupil. The District’s plant operations, food service, and transportation programs operated reasonably efficiently, with cost measures such as cost per square foot, cost per meal, and cost per mile that were similar to or lower than peer districts’ averages. However, the District needs to improve controls over access to critical information systems and strengthen controls over its fuel purchase cards.

The study was developed by Gila County cooperatively with the Arizona Department of Transportation, Central Arizona Association of Governments, and the Tonto National Forest. In addition, area residents’ and stakeholder input was solicited and incorporated in the study through public participation efforts. The purpose of the study has been to develop a 20-year transportation plan and implementation program to guide Gila County in meeting transportation needs into the future. Roadway and multimodal improvements were identified to address deficiencies and needs to improve mobility and safety in the County. The study also identified how and when these improvements should be implemented and funded. This long-range multimodal transportation plan is intended for use in day-to-day programming and funding of transportation improvements. In addition, transportation improvements have been prioritized to maximize project benefits within budget limitations.

In fiscal year 2011, Elfrida Elementary School District’s student AIMS scores for reading and writing were similar to the peer districts’ averages, and its math scores were lower. The District’s operational efficiencies compared favorably to peer district averages in most areas. All of the District’s nonclassroom areas operated with lower per pupil costs than peer districts’ averages and were reasonably efficient overall considering the District’s small size. However, the District’s transportation cost per mile was 59 percent higher than the peer districts’ average, partly because of slightly higher staffing levels. Providing transportation services cooperatively with neighboring districts could help bring costs closer to the peer district average. Further, the District needs to strengthen its accounting and computer controls.

The Planning Assistance for Rural Areas program is sponsored by the Arizona Department of Transportation Multimodal Planning Division, and provides federal funds for the purpose of conducting transportation planning studies. Lake Havasu City first participated in another ADOT program for local governments, the Small Area Transportation Study program, in 1991. Under the SATS program the Lake Havasu City government successfully developed a citywide roadway plan, and then took part in the SATS program to update the plan in 1997 and 2005. The PARA program is flexible and allows for studies of neighborhoods or sub-areas within jurisdictions. The subarea program provision made it possible for the City to apply for and receive PARA funding for the North Havasu Study Area.

The Graham County, Safford, Thatcher, Pima Small Area Transportation Study was initiated by Graham County, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation, to develop a countywide, long-range multimodal transportation plan for this growing rural Arizona community. The project sponsors selected the PB Americas team to conduct this study under the direction of a Technical Advisory Committee, which included representatives from Graham County, City of Safford, Town of Thatcher, Town of Pima, Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization, and ADOT.