County proposes 7th St. become four lanes
Horse community fears more people, cars, noise, safety issues
by Kathleen Stinson

DESERT HILLS – Opinions are divided over the county’s proposal to widen 7th Street north of Carefree Highway to four lanes.

Sentiments range from those who say they are reconciled to the inevitability of the expansion to residents who welcome the changes to those who say a four‑lane highway is unnecessary and ridiculous.

“They are claiming four lanes of traffic is safer than two lanes. But this is a horse community,” said Ellen Newell, who lives at 10th Street off Cloud Road. “Why make it four lanes–just so a developer down the road can make money. This is one of the last horse communities in the area.”

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation is proposing widening 7th Street to four lanes along the three‑mile segment between Carefree Highway and Desert Hills Drive (at New River Road). The proposed improvements, still at the conceptual level, would also include a continuous center left‑turn lane, a bike lane on both sides and a parallel trail that could accommodate equestrian use.

Construction on the project would start in January 2013, with a total cost estimated to be $20.8 million, according to county projections.

MCDOT took comments from the public last week at an open house held at Desert View Bible Church. The 7th Street issue drew a continuous flow of residents.

“I live north of Desert Hills Drive and the road is fine the way it is–never a traffic tie‑up,” said Mike Lettiere. “If you make it wider, I guarantee the traffic will tie up. The more people, the more cars–and it’s noisy as it is.”

Desert Hills resident Jim Conley said he is worried the county may not be widening enough roadways. He commented that if the State Land Department sells a lot of trust land, the population to the north will increase and he doesn’t want Desert Hills to face the kind of traffic congestion now on I‑17.

“Are they (MCDOT) getting the big picture?” Conley asked. “I like the rural lifestyle as much as anyone. But if the area does not face the growth that is coming and plan for it, roads will get congested and drivers will take shortcuts on the dirt roads past homes.”

Following public input, the county will review its conceptual plan and recommend a design.

“I think it is a foregone conclusion there will be some upgrading of traffic facilities,” said Lynne Conley.

Traffic lights are not a part of the county’s proposal at this time, but signal infrastructure will be laid for future use, said Roberta Crowe, spokeswoman for MCDOT. The intersections now controlled by stop signs are projected to need signals between 2012‑2015.

“I would like to see a light at the intersection of Desert Hills Drive and 7th Street,” said Nikki Wheatley, who lives on Tanya Trail near 7th Street. “It’s a scary, blind curve... I think the four lanes is inevitable.”

ADOT’S preferred 7th Street alignment would shift off the existing path to maintain setbacks for people’s front yards, Crowe said. In addition, the county is proposing to raise low spots with bridges or culverts, as well as the use of decomposed granite for the equestrian trail.

New River resident Sandra Schott, who owns a parcel of land along 7th Street, is uncertain what to think about the proposed expansion.

“Right now I don’t like it–it makes everything more city‑like,” Schott said.

“I’m sitting on a piece of money right here, my land,” she continued. “I don’t know if the expansion would improve the value of my land. We all know it is more than the residents who influence what will happen.”

Ann Hutchinson, another New River resident, said the expansion could relieve some traffic being diverted to 16th Street and to 7th Avenue.

Kay Brouelette commented she likes the proposed equestrian trail.

“It’s an awesome idea–there are so many horse owners out here,” Brouelette said.

Other residents complained it is unsafe to ride a horse across a four‑lane highway or even to ride alongside one.

County officials say road safety and a projected increase in traffic are driving the county’s proposed changes. Seventh Street/New River Road connects Carefree Highway to Interstate 17 about nine miles north of Desert Hills Drive and provides the only north/south route, other than I‑17, for this part of the North Valley.

Altogether, MCDOT looked at three roadway alternatives before arriving at its current preference. The other two alternatives would involve the addition of curb and gutter cuts or a path following the existing road alignment.

The county plans another public input meeting for the fall of 2007 and one in April of 2008 to present its final design.

Reach the reporter at kathleen@thedesertadvocate.com.