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The Best Of Two Worlds

PAG Regional Council supports Resolution for future Sonoran Corridor

PAG-New-logo-1linePima Association of Governments’ Regional Council approved a resolution today supporting the Sonoran Corridor, which would connect Interstates 10 and 19 south of the Tucson International Airport.

The resolution makes a unified regional request to the Arizona State Transportation Board to add the proposed Sonoran Corridor as a planning route to the state highway system to help meet the region’s future mobility and economic development goals.

“Building the framework for future transportation infrastructure is essential to our economic interest,” said PAG Regional Council Chair Ramón Valadez. “A corridor connecting our two interstate highways has long been a consideration for the region, and we would like to see it become a reality due to the potential long-term economic benefits it will bring.”

The two interstate highways convey a vast majority of the freight that travels in and out of Pima County. Both facilities include segments of the CANAMEX Corridor, which is a federally designated high priority international trade corridor of the National Highway System connecting Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Enhancing trade and supply chain opportunities with manufacturers in Sonora, Mexico, is projected to increase travel demand on our region’s existing interstate highway network for the bi-national movement of raw materials, components and finished goods.

This project also considers the importance of Raytheon Missile Systems as a major employer in
The region. Since 2012, the PAG Regional Council has programmed $12.7 million of regional funds for the design and construction of the Hughes Access Road relocation. This road would directly connect with the Sonoran Corridor. On Jan. 23, 2014, the Regional Council accepted the PAG Regionally Significant Corridors Study, which included the proposed Sonoran Corridor.
Other benefits of the proposed Sonoran Corridor are that it will provide increased access to Tucson International Airport, facilitate industrial development in the nexus of interstate highways, railroad lines and air cargo facilities, increase cross-town mobility in the southern portion of the region, and facilitate travel between campuses for the region’s largest private employer.

Benefits the Sonoran Corridor would bring to the region include:
 Connectivity that would provide for expansion of the aerospace and defense cluster around Tucson International Airport
 Creation of a logistics corridor that includes access to rail, the interstate system, air freight, the University of Arizona Tech Parks and the Intermodal Center at the Port of Tucson
 Improved competitive advantages for export-based industries to bring new wealth to the region
 New linkages of the I-10 and I-19 commerce corridors
 Enhanced cross-town mobility for residential and commerce connections
As a federally designated metropolitan planning organization, PAG must give consideration to projects and strategies that support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity and efficiency.

Pima Association of Governments is an association of local, state and tribal governments with a mission to build consensus among its members and the public on regional planning for transportation, energy, watershed and air quality. Please visit www.PAGregion.com or www.facebook.com/PAGregion for more information.

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