Discussion and possible direction regarding the Engineering & Natural Resources Department Informational Update.

Jackie Watkins, Engineering and Natural Resources Director, presented this item using a PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Watkins provided a quarterly update on the Engineering Division's activities, highlighting 400 Ridgeway permits issued, updates to special use permits, and ongoing utility projects like Sunzia's transmission lines. She stated the department also manages 40,000 regulatory signs county-wide, oversees development reviews, and has plans for road improvements, including the Davis-191 intersection and Mosen Road, funded partly by state and federal sources with ongoing design and construction phases projected into 2026.

Ms. Watkins discussed ongoing improvements to Davis Road, which has faced frequent closures due to monsoon flooding. Projects at mileposts 5 and 13, funded by $2.8 million from Senator Kelly’s discretionary funds and $3.6 million in county funds, aim to enhance drainage and safety, including slight realignments to prevent accidents. She stated the right-of-way acquisitions are complete, and construction is expected to begin by the end of the year. She stated the project will add drainage structures and widen sections with eight-foot shoulders but will not expand the road to additional lanes.

Ms. Watkins provided an update on the Davis Road project from Highway 80 to Central, which has received a $2 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant for a study, 30% engineering design, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance. She stated a previous study suggested the road may need to become a four-lane highway in the future, but current efforts focus on planning and right-of-way acquisition after clearance is obtained. She noted the estimated construction cost is $73 million, requiring additional grants for future development. The route is heavily used as a shortcut between Douglas and Tucson, and land acquisition would follow appraised values rather than condemnation.

Ms. Watkins explained the Davis Road project from Central to Highway 191, where right-of-way acquisition is nearly complete, following federal guidelines for appraisal and negotiation. She stated the project will not expand to four lanes but will add eight-foot shoulders, improve intersections, and adjust the road alignment for better traffic flow. She stated the northern side will have minimal land acquisition, while the southern side will see more due to existing road use.

Ms. Watkins provided an update on the Douglas Port of Entry and Connector Road project, a collaboration between Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the county, and the City of Douglas. She stated the preferred route is James Ranch Road, connecting the port to Highway 80, with ADOT finalizing the design concept by March. She stated the total estimated construction cost is $49 million, with $27.3 million already allocated, leaving a funding gap of about $22 million. She stated General Services Administration (GSA) is set to break ground on the port in August 2025, with the goal of completing both the port and the road by mid-2028, though additional grants and lobbying efforts are needed to secure remaining funds.

Ms. Watkins stated the Ramsey Canyon multi-use path project aims to extend the existing path from Stafford Lane and Buffalo Soldier Trail eastward along the north side of Ramsey Road to Highway 92. The anticipated construction cost is $2.3 million, with funding expected to come from a federal grant through the service program. This extension is part of ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian and cyclist access in the area, as the current path is heavily used by residents. The project is still in the assessment phase, and funding options are being explored.

Ms. Watkins stated the county is managing multiple infrastructure projects, including bridge assessments, road repairs, and sidewalk improvements. She stated 63 bridges are inspected every two years, some older structures require a 20-year replacement plan, and funding is being pursued through federal grants. She stated Kansas Settlement Road is undergoing analysis for necessary repairs due to a failing base, while Sunsites sidewalks need upgrades to meet ADA compliance. She stated additional projects include modifying the Stafford Lane multi-use path for property access and upgrading the Foothills parking lot in Sierra Vista.

In response to the Board, Ms. Watkins provided an update on unregulated subdivisions and road maintenance, focusing on the Ronald Reagan Road area. She stated the area consists of 6,000 acres, originally developed by record of survey, with lot splits and a now-defunct maintenance agreement among property owners. The Board and staff discussed reviewing roads that see little use for potential removal from county maintenance.