US 95 corridor widening project officially underway
YMPO holds groundbreaking ceremony for much-needed road improvement commencement - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The first set of shovels hit the ground of the much-anticipated construction site at U.S. 95 and Avenue 9E. Years in the making, this $38 million project is just the beginning of several efforts to make the high-traffic highway safer for commuters.
Converting the one-lane section of the highway to two lanes on each side eliminates the dangers of the roadway bottlenecking in the area. Men and women in uniform and civilians working at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) are especially impacted by this construction as it is the main path to and from the active base.
Rep. Tim Dunn secured the funding through the state of Arizona and plans to continue fighting for more funding as the project expands to farther ends of the historic highway.
"It’s a very dangerous corridor. We had another death back in March and so with the $28-million and the $10-million of additional money we got put in the budget this year, we should be able to get that road widened safely out to the Gila River. So it’s very important for the safety of our employees that work out there," says Arizona District 13 Rep. Tim Dunn (R).
Rep. Dunn secured funding through the state... a result of a group effort.
"It really came down to just advocating. It’s a very important part of our community. So it’s one of the things that-- we get together with the county, and we get together with YMPO and our state legislatures," explains Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.
The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization (YMPO) then gets things in motion.
"The Wellton Mohawk Canal, about three miles up, that’s the next phase that’s in design phase and we have just submitted, YMPO submitted, on behalf of the state of Arizona, the raised grant for approximately $20 million," says Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization Senior Planning and Mobility Manager Charles Gutierrez.
Although the wheels are finally turning, talks to expand the highway have been ongoing for decades.
"It has not actually been widened from that point for about the past 40 years. So, there have been various studies moving towards widening," explains Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Paul Ward.
YPG's Commander says he’s grateful.
"I am so impressed and amazed at how the community has come together to ensure that my YPG family is safe when they go to and from work. It’s really just-- thank you," says Yuma Proving Ground Commander Col. Patrick McFall.
Construction of this portion of Hwy 95 is expected to end by the fall of next year. Rep. Dunn says he will continue to work on obtaining more funding for future construction of the highway.
