On Tuesday evening of March 2, the Snowflake Town Council approved to spend $400,000 towards installing traffic lights at the intersection of Main Street and 7th South. The project is part of a larger plan initiated by Arizona Public Service (APS).
7th South has become a major intersection, and increasingly difficult to navigate. Other than State Route 277, it is the only road in Snowflake, which goes out to the golf course and surrounding area; an area which is currently experiencing a large amount of growth with new homes being built. In addition, traffic on 7th South is considerable because of the newer Maverik gas station on the southwest corner of the intersection, as well as nearby public schools. Highland Primary school, with a large number of young children being picked up and dropped off by parents is on 7th South. There is also an increase in traffic because of the new directional exit at Snowflake Junior High School. The majority of cars leaving the school are funneled back to 7th South. All of these factors have led to increased traffic at this intersection.
The APS maintenance yard is currently located on the east side of Main Street and 7th South, with the entrance being slightly out of alignment with the intersection. In recent years, it has become more and more difficult for employees, including large truck and trailer drivers, to enter and exit the yard as traffic has increased. APS is realigning their yard entrance to create a new 4-way intersection at 7th South to make things safer and easier for all drivers. The Main Street entrance to the maintenance yard will be closed and moved to the extension of 7th South on the east side of Main Street.
APS completed a traffic study as part of the redesign and engineering for their maintenance yard modifications. The traffic study identified the need for a traffic light at this location. Main Street is part of State Route 77 and under the jurisdiction of ADOT. According to Neil Traver with APS, ADOT was unwilling to help place a traffic light. When asked to install a light, ADOT’s response was that they were not interested in the project because they could not afford to do it; but perhaps in 10 years they could get to it. Rather than wait for ADOT, APS reached out to the Town of Snowflake to move forward with the project because there is an urgent need for the light now, and not when ADOT eventually gets to it.
The financial contribution from APS was not discussed in the town council meeting, but the company is taking the lead on engineering and hiring construction companies. APS asked the Town to chip in a flat amount of $400,000 towards the project. The Council unanimously approved the measure, 7-0 to help contribute to the installation of traffic lights at Main Street and 7th South Street. The intersection will be the second traffic light intersection in Snowflake. APS estimates the project will be completed in the fall, 2021.
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