Misson to be repaved; won’t include bike lanes

Posted on March 18th, 2010 by Michael McKisson (Publisher/Editor)

A seven mile stretch of Mission Road is scheduled to be repaved in the coming months, but will not include bike lanes.

Pima County Department of Transportation Director Priscilla S. Cornelio said in an email that construction on the first five miles should begin in about a month.

The first phase of the repaving will start at Drexel Road and continue five miles south. The second phase will occur sometime this summer and continue to Pima Mine Road.

View Misson Road repaving in a larger map

Cornelio said they would not be adding bike lanes.

“It is our hope that in the future if additional funding is identified we will be able to construct a multi-use lane along Mission Road,” Cornelio said.

Ralph Phillips, owner of Fair Wheel Bikes and organizer of The Shootout bike ride, which uses Mission Road on its weekly ride, said the lack of bike lanes is, “pretty silly.”

“It would be to everybody’s benefit to put a shoulder on that road,” he said.

Despite the lack of bike lanes, Phillips is happy the county is repaving Mission.

“That road … is one of the worst pieces of paved road in Pima County,” Phillips said. “I am glad they are taking care of it.”

Cornelio said they don’t have a schedule from the contractor, but based on similar projects, the repaving should take about a month.

Mission will remain open for traffic and Phillips said the ride will continue despite the construction.

“Obviously, we’ll have to slow down and take more care,” Phillips said. “We’ve endured other repavings.”

Cornelio said once the project is done, it should make for a much nicer ride.

Related posts:

Post a comment below or discuss in the Tucson Velo forums

Posted on March 18th, 2010 by Michael McKisson (Publisher/Editor)

Coghauler

A real speed-bump in the quest for
Platinum in this region. Not making
a minimal accommodation for this
nationally known ride, apart from
being a unique individual ride, shows
failure of the county to follow where
the people lead.
Oh, and was that multi-use ‘thing’
that goes along Old Spanish Trail
ever ridable?
Coghauler

A real speed-bump in the quest for
Platinum in this region. Not making
a minimal accommodation for this
nationally known ride, apart from
being a unique individual ride, shows
failure of the county to follow where
the people lead.
Oh, and was that multi-use ‘thing’
that goes along Old Spanish Trail
ever ridable?
Ryan Roher

It’s a shame that they haven’t identified the section on Mission from south of Ajo to Drexel as also requiring repaving. The section from Drexel to Valencia (on Mission) is abutted by Tohono Odham reservation land and I believe there is disagreement on exactly who’s road it is. It’s not a complete failure on the county’s part.
Ryan Roher

It’s a shame that they haven’t identified the section on Mission from south of Ajo to Drexel as also requiring repaving. The section from Drexel to Valencia (on Mission) is abutted by Tohono Odham reservation land and I believe there is disagreement on exactly who’s road it is. It’s not a complete failure on the county’s part.
http://clockoutclickin.typepad.com/blog/ Mary R

It’s a travesty that the County/Tohono O’odham will not be adding bike lanes to Mission Road. As penance, perhaps they can repave Nogales Highway, which has something almost, but not quite, like a bike lane on most of its length between Tucson, Sahuarita, and Green Valley.
http://clockoutclickin.typepad.com/blog/ Mary R

It’s a travesty that the County/Tohono O’odham will not be adding bike lanes to Mission Road. As penance, perhaps they can repave Nogales Highway, which has something almost, but not quite, like a bike lane on most of its length between Tucson, Sahuarita, and Green Valley.
Ben

“It is our hope that in the future if additional funding is identified we will be able to construct a multi-use lane along Mission Road,” Cornelio said.

Does anyone have a say in that besides Director Cornelio? This just seems like adding insult to injury.

“Oh hell no are we not ever adding a bike lane to that road. What a waste of money that would be. Silly people! Roads are for cars! If we had money we would spend it on a multi-use lane because those are awesome!”

Maybe I’m the only person that read it like that.
Ben

“It is our hope that in the future if additional funding is identified we will be able to construct a multi-use lane along Mission Road,” Cornelio said.

Does anyone have a say in that besides Director Cornelio? This just seems like adding insult to injury.

“Oh hell no are we not ever adding a bike lane to that road. What a waste of money that would be. Silly people! Roads are for cars! If we had money we would spend it on a multi-use lane because those are awesome!”

Maybe I’m the only person that read it like that.
Scott

C’mon, like shootout riders would actually stick to a bike lane in single file if there was one! What does everybody think that little painted stripe * does* for us on a road like Mission anyways? It won’t make motorists take more care when passing, we know from experience that it won’t even keep them on their side of the line. Either taking the lane *or* holding out for a seperate “bike” road are *both* preferable safer choices if you ask me.
Scott

C’mon, like shootout riders would actually stick to a bike lane in single file if there was one! What does everybody think that little painted stripe * does* for us on a road like Mission anyways? It won’t make motorists take more care when passing, we know from experience that it won’t even keep them on their side of the line. Either taking the lane *or* holding out for a seperate “bike” road are *both* preferable safer choices if you ask me.
Pingback: bicas