Independent Newspapers

Residents in Ventana Lakes have waited years to see truck traffic removed from Beardsley Road.

And though progress has been made on the issue, it will be a few years before an alternative is built.

Maricopa County officials hosted a meeting at the association’s Yacht Club, 20015 N. 108th Ave. on the potential alternate truck route for vehicles exiting the Agua Fria River.

The goal of the meeting was to present potential routes to residents and garner feedback.

"We’re here to show you what’s being thought of, no final decisions have been made yet," said Joe McCord, Ventana Lakes board member and member of the Maricopa County Mining District 1 Recommendation Committee.

Doug LaMont, an engineer contracted by the county, said the study started with a project to extend Deer Valley Road across the Agua Fria River not for commercial trucks, but for regular vehicles.

"We needed to look at different routes that made the most sense," Mr. LaMont said. "While we were doing all of this, it became apparent we needed a north/south component for the trucks as well."

Peoria voters pledged $10 million in funds for the project earlier this month by approving the bond election.

"We are in the draft stage right now," Mr. LaMont said. "We will have a complete recommendation by May 2009."

Maricopa County Department of Transportation official Bob Woodring said after the last community meeting held for residents west of the Agua Fria, two alternatives seemed the most favorable.

The first would be to extend 112th Avenue from Rose Garden north to 107th Avenue near the Pinnacle Peak Alignment. This project would cost about $10 million.

He noted that because of Zuni Hills Elementary School, 10851 W. Williams Road, the road would curb west to avoid pollution for the students.

"We would swing this road to the west of the power lines to get it away from the school," said Peoria’s Transportation Planning Manager Dave Moody.

City officials handed out paperwork that stated this alternative would reduce truck traffic on Beardsley Road by 53 percent, based on 2030 traffic estimates.

"There’s no magic pill. Regardless of what we do, sand and gravel are going to be here," Mr. Woodring said. "We’ve got to try to accommodate everything the best we can."

The second favorable alternative would be on the west side of the river, extending 115th Avenue from Rose Garden Lane to Happy Valley Road.

This alternative would reduce truck traffic by 28 percent based on 2030 traffic volumes and cost $18-20 million.

Some residents were concerned that the 2030 predictions meant the project would not be completed until then, and that would be too late for many of the residents of the retirement community.

Mesquite District Councilwoman Cathy Carlat said that would not be the case, and urged the residents to be patient.

"The bond only passed three weeks ago, you can’t be surprised you don’t have your road yet," Ms. Carlat said. "There is a process we have to go through. It is much more than just laying asphalt."

She noted that though the funding was approved, it’s place in the capital improvement budget was still up in the air.

She said that when city officials discuss the budget next spring, Ventana Lakes residents should be there to insist their project is added.

"In this economy, we are talking about keeping employees’ jobs, and here I am asking for $10 million for a road," Ms. Carlat said. "I need your help to continue to tell them how important your project is. There are other councilmembers with projects they think are important in their own districts, you need to convince them."

Some residents were also concerned that the traffic counts of 2030 would not give an accurate picture of how the roadway would impact them.

"They are saying the number of permits is increasing. This 53 percent is of 2030’s numbers. So at best we are looking at only a little more than what we have now," said resident Les Kelly.

Richard Webbe, chairman of the Maricopa County Mining District 1 Recommendation Committee, said the Rose Garden alternative would be the best because it would take the most trucks off of Beardsley Road. He anticipated the reduction number would be higher than 53 percent, because with the Rose Garden route, they would have another way to get to Loop 101.

"The only trucks that would need to use Beardsley would be for local projects or for anything to the south," Mr. Webbe said. "I’d say about 80 percent would not have to use it."

Mr. McCord said he hoped for the least amount of truck traffic on the roadway.

"We are never going to get rid of the trucks," Mr. McCord said. "I’ll take whichever route takes the most trucks off Beardsley."

Resident Herman Tessmer, who lives along Beardsley Road, was dismayed the process is taking so long.

"The city of Peoria regulates smoking. You are not allowed to smoke within 20 feet of a door, yet I have these trucks blowing fumes from much less than 20 feet from my home," Mr. Tessmer said. "This is a farce I think."

Mr. McCord told residents getting the issue solved was like dominos. With the passing of the bond, the first domino fell, but there are many still to go.

"We’re trying Herman. We are doing our very best," Mr. McCord said.

Ms. Carlat agreed.

"First things first, we have to decide what route to take," Ms. Carlat said.

The officials noted they hope to have the route finalized by summer 2009.