US 180 Winter Traffic Study

We listened to your ideas and developed a list of potential near-, mid-, and long-term strategies, or improvement projects, for easing Flagstaff’s winter traffic congestion along U.S. 180. Now we need your help prioritizing these strategies.

 
     

Recent Comments

»I agree an incentive is needed, which is why I've been arguing that public transit needs to be required. Even though "leaving the driving to someone else" can be a lot more relaxing (as some people in this forum have reported from visits to other areas), it's hard to get people to give up their cars to find this out for themselves, at least initially.
»Since we don't know how these cost estimates were derived, I'm not going to just take them at face value. Flagstaff Shuttle and Charter says they can do it for $40,000 less (see below). I think this needs more exploration and explanation. And I think we need to factor in all the indirect costs that come from our current traffic congestion.
»dislike
»That would be difficult. But, one idea that came out at the forum held at Sechrist School was a pedestrian walkway near Sechrist School that would elimante the at-grade crossing for a school zone on a US Highway! Unfortunately, that idea never made it here. Would that be a huge project? Yes. But there is a pedestrian walkway of Cedar now, so it is possible. Widen at Sechrist? Hard to do. But with no crossing, at least the 3rd lane idea might have merit.
»You are absolutely correct. The reason that we have the problem on Highway 180 is directly related to the lack of snowplay areas elsewhere, particularly McMillan Mesa. A snowplay are on McMillan Mesa has benn argued for roughly 20 years now, and as I said elsewhere, it is a tired, old argument.
When I was a kid here in Flagstaff, Mars Hill was the established sledding hill. It was then moved to McMillan Mesa, and a rope tow for skiing was on one slope and sledding a nd tubing was allowed on other slopes. There was a circluar drop-off area above and a dirt parking area. It was run by the City of Flagstaff.
It was shut down due to liability reasons (I believe) and children are not allowed to slide lgally on any slope inside the City of Flagstaff currently. It has been that way for many years now. 25 at least.
»I also live in Baderville and vehemently oppose the costly construction of a bypass. Yes, Snowbowl traffic has never been an issue. It's the snowplay traffic that has 180 congested. Why in the world would our county allow snowplay enterprises along a highway corridor that cannot handle the traffic. Build a bypass so Phoenicians can play in the snow? I don't care who would pay for it. Super bad idea. My solution. Don't allow snowplay activity along highway 180. And, certainly don't sanction an enterprise to make money from snowplay at the expense of an overly congested highway and citizens whose only access to town is same highway. We should have zoning regulations that prevent such stupidity.
»The bypass is a solution to a year-round problem, not simply an answer to winter traffic congestion. I live in Baderville and would gladly use a route that allows me to get to Flagstaff without experiencing the daily gridlock of a two lane road with chronic constipation because of a school zone and an constant stream of confused tourists on their way to one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
And local business owners, please don't trot out the old argument about people avoiding your businesses because a bypass exists. if what you offer is of interest to the consumer they will find you.
Last, all you Snowbowl haters need to get over yourselves. Snowbowl traffic is not and has never been the problem. The amount of traffic to the area has been and will continue to be constant now and into the forseeable future. The real cause of the bottleneck is Phoenicians who flock in ever increasing numbers to find places to play in the snow.
»PLENTY of places around the country needing to address tourists - and definitely areas around the west with snowplay / ski resort issues use them successfully. You still need an incentive to do it, though.
»As long as any kind of app, text, social media, etc., options were used, it needs to be VERY up to date. I commonly use these kinds of options outside of Flagstaff (such as traffic in Phoenix), but, to be successful, it needs to work.
»The signage seems to have helped in the last few years. But the picture above says it all: you're supposed to understand where to go while you're driving, needing to make quick decision based on the multiple options in small lettering!?
How about an ADOT sign on the highway temporarily for weekends on 17 before you even hit Flagstaff? It's not ideal but much easier for drivers to see and have time to prepare for. It could lead automatically to alternate routes.
»I hate the idea of tolls on 180!
»I've ALWAYS thought that we need some kind of transportation up 180 going to Snowbowl. It needs to be done where there is a drastic incentive for folks wanting to ski/snowboard to use it, too. It works for other events in Flagstaff. Why not this?
»Toll roads in Flagstaff? Seriously? We definitely need to "think outside the box" ... but this seems like a horrible idea.
»I like Sedona's new roundabouts, too. They really seem to have eased congestion *significantly*. We have much to learn about them, and I know we could model them after all of the roundabouts used in Europe. I'm SURE they've figured out how to install them in areas that still have some pedestrian traffic.
»Remember that this is "long-term". They aren't looking for funding RIGHT NOW or even in the next year.

Hello!

Project Details

  1. About the Project
  2. Who's Listening?

Topics
Sort by

Site Questions or Concerns?

support@mindmixer.com
View The Demo
Mind Mixer

Flagstaff, Arizona

  • Convenient
    participation.
  • Your voice
    is heard.
  • Ideas chosen
    on merit.