Increased traffic capacity and enhanced safety for pedestrians are close to getting the green light as Hunter Contracting Co. nears completion of a major reconstruction project that will widen a key intersection in Tucson in the Town of Oro Valley, Arizona.
The $22.5 million La Cholla Boulevard Phase II Overton to Tangerine and water main replacement at 9801 N. La Cholla Blvd., consists of:
Reconstruction of three traffic signals at the intersections of La Cholla Boulevard with Lambert Lane, Naranja Drive and Glover Road with signalized and marked pedestrian crossings;
Widening to four lanes including raised landscaped median, curbs, multi-use path, and sidewalk;
Construction of major drainage facilities.
“We were elated with this project win in 2018 and appreciate working with the Town of Oro Valley again,” said Chuck English, President of Hunter Contracting Co. and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the AGC Arizona Chapter. “Our current focus is to complete the work in order to open up all of the new infrastructure for the Town, schools and most importantly, the residents.”
The work includes furnishing all labor, materials and equipment necessary to reconstruct the roadway, traffic signals and to construct all conduit, median cuts, ADA-compliant curb access ramps, striping, signing and utility coordination.
Improvements were made possible by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Two of the intersections serve two schools along the corridor as well – Wilson Elementary School and Ironwood View High School. There was major coordination with bus routing during construction.
Construction began January 3, 2019; completion is expected in early September.
“The La Cholla Boulevard widening project improved a critical link between the Town of Oro Valley and the City of Tucson,” said Brian Janski, Project Sponsor and Project Manager for Hunter Contracting Co. “The team mentality between the owner, contractor and multiple stakeholders, including multiple utility providers, contributed to a successful project. In this challenging labor market, with the assistance of the AGC training programs, we were able to successfully deliver projects meeting timeframes and owner budgets.”
The project comprises 3.3 miles of roadway construction, four Con-Arch™ drainage structures, 42,500 SF of sidewalk, more than 40,000 LF of curb, 125,000 SF of concrete channel lining, three signalized intersections and 10,875 LF of reinforced concrete pipe storm drain.
AECOM is the engineer of record on the project. Other notable subcontractors include Tucson Asphalt, paving; Mountain Power, traffic signals; Brightview Landscaping, landscape; and Rockridge Construction, rip rap.
“The La Cholla Boulevard widening project is a major north-south corridor for the entire Tucson region. This project transforms what was once a little rural two lane, no shoulder road into a major arterial capable of handling present as well as future traffic demands. In addition, the project fixes many dangerous side street blind spots and protects wildlife crossing linkages. It is a project several years in the making and Hunter Contracting Co. building it in less than two years,” said Paul Keesler, P.E.,
Director/Town Engineer, Department of Public Works, Town of Oro Valley.
“Hunter Contracting Co. has been an outstanding partner. They have been responsive to Town staff, our partners Pima County and the Regional Transportation Authority, along with providing excellent communication and response to the impacted property owners along La Cholla Boulevard. With a project of this scope, with so many challenges – not to mention COVID-19 thrown into the mix – Hunter Contracting Co. has powered through all the adversity of 2020 to deliver. This project is on schedule and on budget. That’s saying something,” Keesler said.
