1st Avenue: River Road to Grant Road Project Website

1st Avenue Improvement Project City of Tucson Skip to main content

Project History

The 1st Avenue project is very early in the development process. The project started with a Needs Assessment to better understand the existing conditions in the corridor. During the Needs Assessment phase, the City explored moving forward with either a four-lane or six-lane improvement. Based on community input and the findings of the Needs Assessment, the City of Tucson and the RTA decided to move forward with the four-lane improvement. The Needs Assessment and results of the community survey are available below.

Needs Assessment

As part of the Needs Assessment, the City of Tucson conducted a regional survey seeking public input on the two corridor alternatives. Over 1,000 Tucsonans participated. Click on the tiles to see the results.

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Planning and Design

The project will now move into project planning and design to identify specific project improvements, locations, and dimensions. Design is expected to take approximately 2-3 years. Construction is estimated to begin in 2027 or 2028 and is anticipated to take 1-2 years. A more detailed project schedule, including a construction phasing plan, will be provided as design progresses.

1st Avenue Citizens' Corridor Planning Task Force

The 1st Avenue design team will work closely with a 1st Avenue Citizens' Corridor Planning Task Force throughout the development of the 1st Avenue project. The role of the task force is to provide guidance to the project team on project goals and advise on corridor design. This task force is made up of people who live, work, or own a business or property on or near 1st Avenue. This group travels along 1st Avenue daily and can represent the interests of transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists on 1st Avenue. The task force meets regularly with the project team to help provide feedback and identify areas of concern and opportunity.

  • Caroline Bartelme

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • Dave Boston

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Business Interests

  • Marci Caballero-Reynolds

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • Maxine Dunkelman

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Regional Users of 1st Avenue

  • Mindy Gutzmer

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Business Interests

  • Mark Hachtel

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Business Interests

  • Dana Higgins

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Business Interests

  • Melissa Noshay-Petro

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • Kathleen O'Brien

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Regional Users of 1st Avenue

  • Karl Peterson

    • Role: Vice Chair
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • Nancy Reid

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • A.M. Rivers

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • Ruben Robles

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Neighborhoods

  • Kate Saunders

    • Role: Member
    • Classification: Representing Alternative Modes of Transportation

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