Drivers brace for Tangerine Road construction
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Drivers and homeowners are bracing for a major road improvement project on the road that connects Marana to Oro Valley.
Pre-construction work has begun along the sides of West Tangerine Road from North Dove Mountain Boulevard to North La Cañada Drive.
Construction managers tell Tucson News Now the major construction is expected to start next month.
However, they want the community to know about it now.
The Tangerine Road improvement project will widen the two-lane road to four lanes. It'll also make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Officials say it'll improve safety, access, and traffic flow.
The project is part of the $2.1 billion Regional Transportation Authority plan approved by voters in 2006. It is being managed by the town of Marana in conjunction with the town of Oro Valley, Pima County and the RTA.
“As most of you know, we’re really having problems moving traffic on the northwest parts of the urban area,” Marana Mayor Ed Honea said. “This project is going to make a four-lane all-weather connection from I-10 to Oracle ... so it’s really important.”
"That's going to be good when it does rain because I've had several instances where I've had to go all the way around (because of flooded roadways) so it's taken a lot longer to get home," said Kat Dixon, of Oro Valley. "So that's always been a pain. Not excited about the two years that it's going to take to do it, but I think in the end it'll be a good thing."
"I think they should fix Thornydale first, because it's in much worse shape. Tangerine is going to grow but there's time for that," said Leigh Creighton, of Oro Valley.
Learn more about the 10-mile-long project here: www.tangerineroad.info.
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