Houghton Road Corridor
As one of the projects identified by the voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan, Houghton Road will be widened to a multilane facility between Speedway Boulevard and Interstate 10. The improvements will include a wide median to separate traffic, upgraded drainage facilities to provide all-weather traffic, establishment of a greenway along the east side of Houghton Road and pedestrian improvements on the west side. Efforts will be made to identify key locations in which access control can be implemented to reduce congestion and increase safety for the traveling public.

Work is divided into three distinct projects:
One encompasses Speedway Boulevard to 22nd Street, another spans 22nd Street to Valencia Road, and a third extends from Valencia Road to the I-10 interchange. The design consultants chosen for each project are, respectively, PB, Psomas and Castro Engineering.

The Design Concept Study for each project falls into three phases:
During the first phase, studies of existing conditions will be conducted. These studies address roadway facilities, traffic volumes, environmental, social and economic issues, current land uses, and any concerns voiced by the public. In the second phase, the project teams will use existing and new information to estimate future traffic conditions and formulate workable and desired alternatives for the interim and ultimate design of the roadway in each project area. Once that comprehensive picture of the current and future roadway segment has been established, roadway design alternatives will be defined. These will reflect input from residents, businesses, neighborhood associations and various stakeholders.

In the third phase, one alternative will be selected and further defined for full development.
Construction funding for Houghton Road as listed in the RTA plan extends to 2021. With this in mind, it will be very important to identify the areas along Houghton Road that can best benefit from congestion and safety improvements, and make those areas our highest priority. This exercise will be an important part of the public outreach effort for this project.

Houghton Road Corridor Study.
An important part of the history of the Houghton Road project is presented in the Houghton Road Corridor Study developed by the Arizona Department of Transportation. We will be developing our design utilizing the concepts presented in this study. The full study is available for viewing at www.houghtonroad.com/study.htm.