Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-01:  A resolution of the Flagstaff City Council authorizing the submission of an application to the State of Arizona for the Arizona State Match Advantage for Rural Transportation (AZ SMART) Fund for the JW Powell Lake Mary to Interstate 17 project
 

1. Read Resolution No. 2026-01 by title only
2. Clerk reads Resolution No. 2026-01 by title only (if approved above)
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-01

The City desires to submit an AZ Smart Fund Grant Application up to the amount of $2.3M to fund the design for the project.

This JW Powell, Lake Mary to Interstate 17 (I-17) project (Project) seeks to construct a 1.4-mile segment of John Welsey Powell Boulevard (JWP) from east of its intersection with S. Pulliam Drive, along the northern border of Flagstaff Airport, to its existing T-intersection with Lake Mary Road adjacent to the eastern edge of the airport. The improvements include on-street bike lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks, roadway widening, corridor access management solutions with a raised median and two roundabouts, with increasing drainage capacity for new structures. 

This segment of JWP is in the city’s five-year capital improvement program (CIP) and will complete an important connection between I-17 and areas east of the airport, both within the city and within the Coconino National Forest (NF or Forest).

The approved total budget for the Project is $14,502,000 from the Transportation Tax – Roadway, Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Safety Improvements – Street Widening category. The current estimated total cost of the Project is $23,356,292. If awarded, the $2.3 million AZ SMART Fund grant will offset design costs, reducing the City’s financial burden. In accordance with program guidelines, the City will have two years from the award date to a construction grant to complete the project. If a construction grant is awarded, it will help cover the gap between the approved project budget and the current estimated total cost.

NONE.

NONE.

• Approve the AZ Smart Fund Grant Application of a Grant Agreement with AZ State Transportation Board for JW Powell, Lake Mary to Interstate 17 (I-17) project.
• Not approve for consideration the AZ Smart Application which would prevent $2.3M of financial benefit to the City of Flagstaff.  

The JW Powell, Lake Mary to Interstate 17 (I-17) Project is located along the southern edge of the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and extends approximately 1.4 miles from east of S. Pulliam Drive to the existing T-intersection with Lake Mary Road. This corridor is a critical east-west connection in the City’s transportation network and is identified in the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

The Project will construct a new segment of John Wesley Powell Boulevard (JWP), including roadway widening, on-street bike lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks, a raised median for access management, and two new roundabouts. It will also improve drainage capacity with new structures. These improvements will enhance multimodal connectivity, reduce congestion, and improve safety for all users.

The Project supports the City’s Complete Streets policy by integrating multimodal infrastructure and improving access to key destinations, including the Flagstaff Airport, Interstate 17, and adjacent areas within the Coconino National Forest. It also aligns with regional transportation goals and complements ongoing planning efforts in the area.

The City will coordinate with key stakeholders including the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transit Authority (NAIPTA), Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD), Arizona State Land Department (ASLD), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Forest Service, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, and nearby property owners and developers. Public engagement and interagency coordination will be essential to the success of the Project.

Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well-maintained, and connected infrastructure system. The JW Powell, Lake Mary to Interstate 17 (I-17) Project will enhance regional mobility, improve safety, and support multimodal transportation options, aligning with the City’s commitment to infrastructure investment and service excellence.

• Improve mobility and access throughout the region by completing a critical east-west connection between Lake Mary Road and Interstate 17.
• Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes through the addition of two roundabouts, raised medians, and ADA-compliant sidewalks.
• Promote transportation infrastructure and services that enhance the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors near the Flagstaff Airport and surrounding areas.
• Increase the availability and use of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including on-street bike lanes and sidewalks, as part of a safe and livable community.
• Design infrastructure to provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, consistent with the City’s Complete Streets policy.

• Based on 2045 traffic projection, the planned JW Powell extension will reduce travel by more than 1.6 miles from southern Flagstaff to I-17, the airport, and Fort Tuthill Regional Park compared to current routes. This reduction in vehicle miles traveled from the JW Powell/Lake Mary Road intersection to I-17 is estimated to cut 2.0 metric tons of CO2 emissions per day.
• Improves access to the airport and surrounding areas, supporting future land use patterns that align with sustainability and encourage vibrant, appropriate development.
• Integrates multimodal elements into the JW Powell corridor design to create inclusive walking and biking networks that are continuous, safe, and convenient for all ages.

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