Interstate 11

[pderocco]

The entire US 93 corridor would likely have to be completely reconstructed to bring the Interstate 11 designation into Arizona (and south to Interstate 40 in Kingman). I wouldn't be surprised if future Interstate 11 never goes beyond Kingman.

Just getting four lanes through the Joshua Tree Forest north of Wickenburg has been a close to impossible challenge.

What's so hard about that? Is there some endangered species of activist that will be impacted?

[Max Rockatansky]

The entire US 93 corridor would likely have to be completely reconstructed to bring the Interstate 11 designation into Arizona (and south to Interstate 40 in Kingman). I wouldn't be surprised if future Interstate 11 never goes beyond Kingman.

Just getting four lanes through the Joshua Tree Forest north of Wickenburg has been a close to impossible challenge.

What's so hard about that? Is there some endangered species of activist that will be impacted?

No, but people have lost their shit over the prospect all the way back to the time when US 93 was just two lanes most of the way to Hoover Dam.

[Henry]

The entire US 93 corridor would likely have to be completely reconstructed to bring the Interstate 11 designation into Arizona (and south to Interstate 40 in Kingman). I wouldn't be surprised if future Interstate 11 never goes beyond Kingman.

Just getting four lanes through the Joshua Tree Forest north of Wickenburg has been a close to impossible challenge.

What's so hard about that? Is there some endangered species of activist that will be impacted?

No, but people have lost their shit over the prospect all the way back to the time when US 93 was just two lanes most of the way to Hoover Dam.

I do expect I-11 to reach the Phoenix area in one way or another, so that there'd be a freeway alternative to I-17 and I-40 (and do Phoenixers really go through Flagstaff just to get to Vegas anyway?).

[Max Rockatansky]

The entire US 93 corridor would likely have to be completely reconstructed to bring the Interstate 11 designation into Arizona (and south to Interstate 40 in Kingman). I wouldn't be surprised if future Interstate 11 never goes beyond Kingman.

Just getting four lanes through the Joshua Tree Forest north of Wickenburg has been a close to impossible challenge.

What's so hard about that? Is there some endangered species of activist that will be impacted?

No, but people have lost their shit over the prospect all the way back to the time when US 93 was just two lanes most of the way to Hoover Dam.

I do expect I-11 to reach the Phoenix area in one way or another, so that there'd be a freeway alternative to I-17 and I-40 (and do Phoenixers really go through Flagstaff just to get to Vegas anyway?).

And yet the planners involved have it being routed west of the entire metro area.

[Sub-Urbanite]

The entire US 93 corridor would likely have to be completely reconstructed to bring the Interstate 11 designation into Arizona (and south to Interstate 40 in Kingman). I wouldn't be surprised if future Interstate 11 never goes beyond Kingman.

Just getting four lanes through the Joshua Tree Forest north of Wickenburg has been a close to impossible challenge.

What's so hard about that? Is there some endangered species of activist that will be impacted?

No, but people have lost their shit over the prospect all the way back to the time when US 93 was just two lanes most of the way to Hoover Dam.

I do expect I-11 to reach the Phoenix area in one way or another, so that there'd be a freeway alternative to I-17 and I-40 (and do Phoenixers really go through Flagstaff just to get to Vegas anyway?).

When I lived in Vegas and would drive to Scottsdale to visit family, I'd regularly detour through Prescott instead of taking 93. It would add about half an hour to the drive, but it felt way safer (most of 93 was still 2-lane then) and was certainly more interesting.

[Max Rockatansky]

Two-lane US 93 was a menace to all involved.  I used to also go through Prescott more often than not to get up to I-40.  I used to detour via AZ 68 and NV 163 to US 95 since that was already pretty much improved for truck access.

[splashflash]

I-11 route through Maricopa advances as House bill pushes next phase

https://inmaricopa.com/i-11-route-through-maricopa-advances-as-house-bill-pushes-next-phase/

proposed Interstate 11 corridor that would pass through Hidden Valley and along Maricopa's western edge moved a step forward this month as Arizona lawmakers approved a bill aimed at advancing the long-delayed project.

The Arizona House of Representatives passed House Bill 2601, directing the Arizona Department of Transportation to continue work on a key segment of the proposed highway between Interstate 10 near Casa Grande and Wickenburg.
That stretch includes the portion long eyed to run just west of Maricopa, cutting through farmland south of the city and continuing north through Hidden Valley before linking toward the West Valley.

The bill requires ADOT to request federal segmentation of that portion of the project and complete environmental reviews and approvals. Once federal approval is granted, the agency must begin the next phase of environmental and engineering study within three months.

[vdeane]

I-11 route through Maricopa advances as House bill pushes next phase

https://inmaricopa.com/i-11-route-through-maricopa-advances-as-house-bill-pushes-next-phase/

proposed Interstate 11 corridor that would pass through Hidden Valley and along Maricopa's western edge moved a step forward this month as Arizona lawmakers approved a bill aimed at advancing the long-delayed project.

The Arizona House of Representatives passed House Bill 2601, directing the Arizona Department of Transportation to continue work on a key segment of the proposed highway between Interstate 10 near Casa Grande and Wickenburg.
That stretch includes the portion long eyed to run just west of Maricopa, cutting through farmland south of the city and continuing north through Hidden Valley before linking toward the West Valley.

The bill requires ADOT to request federal segmentation of that portion of the project and complete environmental reviews and approvals. Once federal approval is granted, the agency must begin the next phase of environmental and engineering study within three months.

Interesting how I-11 is supposed to connect Phoenix to Las Vegas and there's not a peep about I-11 even regarding the one project on the portion between those cities, and yet they're continuing to obsess over this redundant freeway that has nothing to do with the purpose of building I-11.

[Bobby5280]

I-11 became something other than the Vegas to Phoenix link it was supposed to be. At this point I don't give a damn if it ever gets built.

[KeithE4Phx]

I-11 may eventually get built to Kingman, but I'll be shocked if it replaces US 93 south of I-40.  It's not necessary, and apparently there is local opposition to getting the Joshua Forest Hwy segment of 93 4-laned.  I don't have anything documented, but the scuttlebutt is there, from what I've heard in the Wickenburg area. 

I don't know why, since the ranchers along that route would be well-compensated for their right-of-ways, per state law, but someone(s) seem to be greasing their state legislators' palms to keep it from happening.  That segment of 93 is the most dangerous non-freeway in Arizona.  Forget I-11, but at least get that segment upgraded! 

[Max Rockatansky]

I-11 may eventually get built to Kingman, but I'll be shocked if it replaces US 93 south of I-40.  It's not necessary, and apparently there is local opposition to getting the Joshua Forest Hwy segment of 93 4-laned.  I don't have anything documented, but the scuttlebutt is there, from what I've heard in the Wickenburg area. 

I don't know why, since the ranchers along that route would be well-compensated for their right-of-ways, per state law, but someone(s) seem to be greasing their state legislators' palms to keep it from happening.  That segment of 93 is the most dangerous non-freeway in Arizona.  Forget I-11, but at least get that segment upgraded! 

Could always give the Joshua Tree segment the Super Two treatment.  Put a line of Jersey barriers in and sudden you don't have a head-on collision issue.  The interchange at AZ 71 already exists so no real alterations would be needed there.

[Bobby5280]

Wickenburg would have to be bypassed. Building such a thing near town wouldn't be easy since the terrain surrounding Wickenburg is anything but flat. Upgrading the existing US-93 and US-60 alignments in place to Interstate standards in town is probably not feasible.

I-11 would probably have to bypass Wickenburg well off to the West of town -probably miles West of the Industrial Airpark on US-60. I-11 would probably be passing just West of the Toyota Proving Grounds park. But that would give the Interstate a fairly clear shot towards the spot it's supposed to reach on I-10 near Buckeye.

[Max Rockatansky]

Wickenburg would have to be bypassed. Building such a thing near town wouldn't be easy since the terrain surrounding Wickenburg is anything but flat. Upgrading the existing US-93 and US-60 alignments in place to Interstate standards in town is probably not feasible.

I-11 would probably have to bypass Wickenburg well off to the West of town -probably miles West of the Industrial Airpark on US-60. I-11 would probably be passing just West of the Toyota Proving Grounds park. But that would give the Interstate a fairly clear shot towards the spot it's supposed to reach on I-10 near Buckeye.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with swinging west of downtown Wickenburg via the Vulture Mountains.  Where I start to disagree with things is not crossing over the Hassayampa River and merging back into US 60 near Morristown. 

[The Ghostbuster]

I think Interstate 11 should be built to Interstate 10 at the very least. Anything beyond there is unnecessary in my opinion.

[splashflash]

Wickenburg would have to be bypassed. Building such a thing near town wouldn't be easy since the terrain surrounding Wickenburg is anything but flat. Upgrading the existing US-93 and US-60 alignments in place to Interstate standards in town is probably not feasible.

I-11 would probably have to bypass Wickenburg well off to the West of town -probably miles West of the Industrial Airpark on US-60. I-11 would probably be passing just West of the Toyota Proving Grounds park. But that would give the Interstate a fairly clear shot towards the spot it's supposed to reach on I-10 near Buckeye.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with swinging west of downtown Wickenburg via the Vulture Mountains.  Where I start to disagree with things is not crossing over the Hassayampa River and merging back into US 60 near Morristown. 

Vista Royale, a northwestern suburb of Wickenburg, opposes the close alignment of I-11. They successfully lobbied the town to forgo the town's previous stance to have the freeway run nearby.
https://www.protectourwickenburglifestyle.com/post/town-of-wickenburg-pushes-i-11-west
https://www.protectourwickenburglifestyle.com/post/town-of-wickenburg-i-11-task-force-meeting

[Molandfreak]

I think Interstate 11 should be built to Interstate 10 at the very least. Anything beyond there is unnecessary in my opinion.

Brilliant and original commentary. I can't think of anyone who has said this before.

[Bobby5280]

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with swinging west of downtown Wickenburg via the Vulture Mountains.  Where I start to disagree with things is not crossing over the Hassayampa River and merging back into US 60 near Morristown.

I would prefer I-11 to be routed onto US-60 from Wickenburg down to the AZ-303 loop (and then follow 303 down to I-10). Unfortunately that portion of US-60 is being increasingly encroached by development. I think it's still feasible to convert that segment of US-60 into a limited access freeway. But a number of commercial properties along the way would have to be removed. As more properties get built that conversion task grows more difficult. Eventually US-60 outside the 303 loop will be just as much a mess as it is within Phoenix.

A Western I-11 partial loop around Wickenburg to Morristown would be pretty difficult to build due to the terrain. Such a thing would probably have to connect into US-60 South of Morristown, maybe closer to Circle City.

If I-11 bypassed Wickenburg well off to the West and followed a more direct path to Buckeye maybe a new East-West highway link between I-11 and US-60 could be built from Circle City going West, skirting South of the Vulture Mountains and North of the Toyota Proving Grounds.

[pderocco]

Southbound from US-93, I don't think the purpose of I-11 should be a direct route to Phoenix. A direct route to Buckeye, to allow bypassing Phoenix, would be better, because that's still a reasonably short route if your destination is Phoenix. The northern part of AZ-85 could be upgraded to I-11 (as it's obvious intended eventually to be frontage roads for a freeway), and then seven miles before Gila Bend, it could split off AZ-85, joining up with I-8 maybe 12-15 miles east of Gila Bend, to make a shorter bypass.

They could even retain the AZ-85 designation for the I-11 frontage roads!

The question of a western bypass of Tucson is a completely separate issue, which won't be dealt with until I'm dust.

[Molandfreak]

Southbound from US-93, I don't think the purpose of I-11 should be a direct route to Phoenix. A direct route to Buckeye, to allow bypassing Phoenix, would be better, because that's still a reasonably short route if your destination is Phoenix. The northern part of AZ-85 could be upgraded to I-11 (as it's obvious intended eventually to be frontage roads for a freeway), and then seven miles before Gila Bend, it could split off AZ-85, joining up with I-8 maybe 12-15 miles east of Gila Bend, to make a shorter bypass.

They could even retain the AZ-85 designation for the I-11 frontage roads!

The question of a western bypass of Tucson is a completely separate issue, which won't be dealt with until I'm dust.

Right, it's very easy to pick on the proposals for I-11 south of Buckeye, but I believe they're just haphazardly trying to kill multiple birds with one stone: ease traffic congestion between Tucson and Phoenix, provide a bypass of Phoenix which I-10 traffic can utilize, and provide a partial bypass of Tucson.

It's a shame that the DOT is looking at the project one-dimensionally as a simple I-10/I-19 bypass. The preferred alternative doesn't take the logical route through Gila Bend before making its way east, it swings east through Maricopa before paralleling I-10 through the desert. That severely limits its utility compared to a corridor which also makes a connection from I-8 to Phoenix without backtracking in Casa Grande. Maybe both corridors are ultimately worth building, but you'd think they would focus on building the latter with more obvious utility first.

[Roadwarriors79]

I-11 would have gotten a lot further along by now if they focused on the AZ 85 corridor from I-8 to I-10 and going north of I-10 towards US 93 past Wickenburg. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to build any new freeway in Tucson or Pima County.

[Molandfreak]

Was a complete bypass of Tucson ever in the works? It looks like I-10 has four times more daily traffic heading into Tucson than I-19 does. Seems like heading that extra few miles from I-19 east to reconnect with I-10 would be worth it if the goal is to create an extra long-haul thru route.

And that's assuming anything south of I-8 is worth building.

[splashflash]

This looks like a new promotional website for I-11.  It seems the Arizona legislature broke the southern corridor into smaller segments, with the study section between Wickenburg and Buckeye. This appears to have a southern limit of I-10.

https://www.i-11coalition.org/

"The Arizona Legislature appropriated $25 million for a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement and Design Concept Report to determine the centerline for the segment between Buckeye and Wickenburg."

I thought this was originally $25M for all the way to Nogales border crossing.

[pderocco]

This looks like a new promotional website for I-11.  It seems the Arizona legislature broke the southern corridor into smaller segments, with the study section between Wickenburg and Buckeye. This appears to have a southern limit of I-10.

https://www.i-11coalition.org/

"The Arizona Legislature appropriated $25 million for a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement and Design Concept Report to determine the centerline for the segment between Buckeye and Wickenburg."

I thought this was originally $25M for all the way to Nogales border crossing.

They still start out with the statement,

I-11 is the newest Interstate in the American Southwest between Mexico and Nevada, linking the cities of Tucson, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Reno.

[Plutonic Panda]

This just seems like something that a bunch of developers are pushing to get built for the West Phoenix Metro.