The Governor needs to reconsider his position on I-11.

As a supporter of Governor Hobbs (99% of the time), I would argue that his recent comments on the proposed I-11 near Tucson (refusing to rule out the Avra ​​Valley route recommended by ADOT) demonstrate a lack of preparation on the part of his staff.

There are many questions about ADOT’s proposed new Interstate 11, starting with the concept of enhancing U.S./Mexico commercial traffic from the U.S. to Canada, to the many specific route recommendations. This is all assuming that it may one day be funded and that the Interstate actually exists.

First, U.S. roads, and even Arizona’s roads, are not the main bottleneck for growing U.S.-Mexico traffic. Just look at commercial truck and rail congestion at the border crossings. If we don’t address delays at the border crossings, no amount of new roads will change that.

Second, as ADOT itself acknowledged in stakeholder meetings, its transportation model is outdated and doesn’t account for either improved rail or autonomous driving (which are expected to eventually ease traffic congestion). Because new roads are meant to last 50 years or more, ADOT’s model needs to be more future-proof.

Third, taxpayer dollars to build new roads through vacant land, like Avra ​​Canyon near Tucson, are a financial waste (think billions of dollars) compared to adding lanes to existing interstates.

Finally, sorry, but ADOT seems to have enough trouble widening and maintaining existing roads. I-19 from Nogales to Tucson is only two lanes each way. I-10 east of Tucson is also only two lanes each way. And then there’s Casa Grande to Phoenix. Oh, one more thing: an interstate barely fits into Avra ​​Valley. Trying to squeeze one in there would ruin one national park, one national monument, one county park, one federal mitigation area, and essentially cut off a vital wildlife connection between the Tucson Mountains and the Ironwood Forest Ranges.

And let’s not forget Tucson’s water source. Yes, the precious source of the Colorado River, the CAP Canal, and Tucson’s innovative water recharge pond, are in, you guessed it, Avra ​​Valley. Besides the logistics of not taking ADOT’s preferred route directly to these resources, there are the risks of accidents and toxic spills. Perhaps there’s good reason why the Pima County Board of Supervisors, the Tohono O’odham Tribe, the City of Tucson, and the Town of Sahuarita have publicly spoken out against putting an interstate through the Avra ​​Valley.

Will the state government listen to the voices of local residents on this matter? I would like to ask the governor to ask his staff to reconsider this issue in light of the above. Thank you.