Adopt Resolution 11-41, establishing approximately 8 miles of Airport Road, as described therein, as a Declared County Highway.

Airport Road is located west of Willcox and together with Three Links Road and Muleshoe Road provides a primary connection between Willcox and Cascabel, including access to private, State, and BLM land holdings. Airport Road has been maintained by Cochise County for many, many years and in 2003 that portion west of Hamilton Road was designated as a Primitive Road. Recently this road has experienced increased usage and one factor of this usage is the development of Inde Motorsports.

Inde Motorsports was granted a Special Use Permit in 2008 to develop an automobile club and since that time has met with County staff to discuss the possibility of improving approximately 8 miles of Airport Road from Willcox to their entry. In 2009 Inde Motorsports contributed $100,000 and the County was able to reshape the road and add millings under the Primitive Road designation.

Currently Inde Motorsports desires to partner with the County to improve existing roadway surface (millings) to a chip seal hard-all weather surface. The proposal is for Inde Motorsports to contribute $250,000 and the County would perform minor re-shaping and re-compaction and applying a double chip seal to the surface from MP 12 to MP 4.

The recorded right-of-way between MP 12 and MP 4 consists of a lease across State Land Trust Land holdings representing 60% of the Airport Rd. right of way. The remaining right of way which is under the control of others has been maintained by County forces and used continuously by the public in its alignment prior to 1950. The proposed improvements will remain within the same footprint as the historical maintained alignment.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $447,246.00 ($40,800 Labor, $81,446 Equipment and $325,000 Materials) and is incorporated in the 11/12 Annual Work Plan.

Airport Road is part of an important road network for the northwest portion of Cochise County. Previous partnering efforts have enabled the County to provide needed reshaping of the road. The current proposal will enable the County to preserve and protect these past road improvements and provide a better public road for Cochise County residents. Therefore this department recommends that Airport Road be re-established as a Declared County Highway in order to facilitate receiving funding and improvements to Airport Road

Upon adoption of the resolution, the department will coordinate with Inde Motorsports to secure their funding for the project. Once funding is in place the proposed improvements will be scheduled.

That portion of Airport Road will remain designated as a Primitive Road and Cochise County will not be able to partner with Inde Motorsports. Potential funding for improving the road will be forfeited.

Please insert resolution number on the resolution map and record resolution and resolution map as one document.  Please return a copy of the recorded resolution to the H&F Right-of-way Division.