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Camino Miramonte-Palo Verde Bicycle Boulevard Project

Add your comments to help improve this project!

This concept design shows the improvements planned as part of the Camino Miramonte-Palo Verde Bicycle Boulevard Project. Add your comments to tell the City of Tucson what you like, what could be improved, and if there are issues in the project area that you'd like us to address.

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in reply to Kelly Badeau's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Feb 4 2025 at 4:22PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks for the feedback on speed humps vs. chicanes/bumpouts. It's always useful to get opinions from people who are using our faculties so that we can improve.

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in reply to Kelly Badeau's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Feb 4 2025 at 4:20PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks for this comment Kelly. I'd love to improve the sidewalk along Broadway too. Unfortunately these improvements are outside the scope of what the voters approved as part of the Proposition 407 Parks & Connections Bond. There are also multiple implementation challenges with this, including the need to acquire private property, utility conflicts, reconstruction of high-volume commercial driveways, bus stop conflicts, and the high cost of reconstructing the sidewalk as a shared use path. Your comment is fair and I'm not trying to be a naysayer, but these are the reasons we don't have a plan to move forward with such improvements at this moment.

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in reply to Brad Mascal's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Feb 4 2025 at 4:16PM on page 1

Suggestion

Hi Brad,

Thanks for this. I absolutely see your point and you are correct that El Con is a major destination that is currently difficult to access by bike. I like the idea of including wayfinding signs from the main route to the very low-volume service road along the south side of 5th St to Dodge, which is the lowest-stress route. As for providing a more robust complimentary facility THROUGH El Con, that's something the shopping center would need to spearhead from a funding, design, and implementation perspective. El Con management is aware of our alternatives analysis and I'd certainly be open to working with them if this is something they'd like to pursue on their property.

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in reply to Kelly Badeau's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:28PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks for this Kelly. I don't disagree with anything you've said and would love to improve access to El Con. A shared use path along the north side of Broadway would be a nice addition, but would require significant and costly improvements including acquisition of private property, utility relocation, and driveway reconstruction. It's outside the scope of what we can realistically accomplish with the available budget. Sorry!

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in reply to Kelly Badeau's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:25PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks Kelly. I actually had a meeting with some El Encanto residents this week, and the majority of folks in attendance were supportive of speed humps. Only one person was supportive of traffic circles or chicanes - they felt like the street was already narrow enough.

You're right that speeds and volumes are already low along this part of Camino Miramonte, but speed humps may help reduce cut-through traffic between 5th St and Broadway.

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in reply to Dario's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:22PM on page 1

Suggestion

Good question. Since there is a wall around El Con, the best way to get access it is via the very low-volume service road along the south side of 5th St to Dodge. We may decide to add wayfinding signs that guide people along that route. Thanks for asking.

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in reply to Joel Smith's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:20PM on page 1

Suggestion

I understand the concern here and agree that it would be nice to install additional traffic calming in this area due to higher-than-ideal traffic volumes and since Miramonte is so wide here. I don't know what our options are given the constraints (you've hit the nail on the head with drainage and budget) but I will push our designer to get creative!

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in reply to James's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:15PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks James. The project team will be evaluating options for this stretch as a next step and we'll take this into consideration.

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in reply to Brad Mascal's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:14PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks for this feedback Brad.

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in reply to Brad Mascal's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:12PM on page 1

Suggestion

Brad,

Great question! We're actually planning to pilot the "bike-friendly" speed humps on two upcoming projects: The 9th St Bike Blvd and the Ontario-Mecedora Bike Blvd. We want to test them out and evaluate how they work on these two corridors first, so I'm not sure if we'll have the information needed to expand their implementation by the time this project goes to construction or not. I appreciate you making the comment and for now the answer is "possibly"!

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in reply to SFO's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 5:08PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thank you for these suggestions. They are all good ideas. Unfortunately they are outside of the scope of what we can do with this specific funding. This project is funded by a voter-approved bond called Proposition 407. The bond specified the scope of each project, and for this one we can only add push-button crossings of major streets, traffic calming, and wayfinding signs and markings.

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in reply to Kelly Badeau's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 30 2025 at 3:05PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks Kelly for this feedback.

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Brad Mascal Jan 28 2025 at 11:26AM on page 1

Suggestion

To add to my previous comment. While the future for malls and shopping centers is unclear, new projects such as the Foothills Mall would indicate that they will begin to include more housing developments. El Con is ripe with potential for numerous housing development to be added to its unused parking lots. This recent article has already identified El Con specifically, link. Implementing an optional route that goes to/through El Con would be putting you ahead of the curve and has the potential to help instigate these types of needed developments.

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Brad Mascal Jan 28 2025 at 11:16AM on page 1

Question

Is it possible to change the speed hump design to allow for a gap for cyclist to pass through? Similar to these "bike friendly" speed humps in Portland, link. I'm often riding a cargo bike with my son and having an option to go through the hump would be a great benefit.

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Brad Mascal Jan 28 2025 at 11:07AM on page 1

Suggestion

Putting this out there although I'm sure the answer is that there is not adequate funding. I am looking back through the Route Alternatives, specifically Phase 1 and I see that there was an early option to go directly through El Con Mall and would provide a new access point into the shopping center along the north side on Palo Verde. I'm not positive that this option is better than what was ultimately selected as they both have there pros and cons but I see how the early Palo Verde option would work great in conjunction with the route through Camino Miramonte. In my opinion, one major component that is missing with the current plan is a connection to El Con. I love that this route takes cyclists on safer and quieter streets, and delivers users to parks and schools, but it also needs to connect to various options for shopping. El Con is a one-stop shop for many people and it would be a great benefit to give cyclists a good way to get there. I think it would very interesting to see this early option brought back to some extent and could act as a split route for those who would like to go to El Con, versus though who would prefer to commute past El Con. This has the advantage of decreasing the amount of users on any one route which I am sure would make the neighbors pleased in El Encanto as well as help with potential congestion in the central plaza at El Con. Maybe you can source some additional funding from the shopping center as it would deliver more buyers to them. Thanks for your consideration.

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Brad Mascal Jan 28 2025 at 10:31AM on page 1

Suggestion

I would prefer to see the alternative and more direct route implemented here. Making the two left turns going south that close to speedway could be challenging and a more dangerous for a cyclist than the alternate. Turning left onto Jones for northbound cyclist is a safer option as they will have good visibility of oncoming traffic along speedway.

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Kelly Badeau Jan 28 2025 at 8:42AM on page 1

Suggestion

My comment on this stretch was meant for Broadway and Miramonte but I can't figure out how to move it. Here I just wanted to comment that this is going to be a great addition to the bike network and reiterate my experience as a 2000+ miles per year cyclist that speed humps are ineffective for speed control. Chicanes/bumpouts work much better. They might dissuade drivers from using the road, but they do not effectively lower traffic speed.

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Kelly Badeau Jan 28 2025 at 8:37AM on page 1

Suggestion

I ride this stretch ALL THE TIME, at least once a week. The only way to get into El Con, since the neighborhood is walled off, is to ride the sidewalk. It is not wide enough to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, and it's frequently covered with sand/gravel. As long as you're improving the bike boulevard, connectivity to El Con would be fantastic (yes, I go up to Randolph Way sometimes but coming from campus that is not practical/logical/efficient)

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Kelly Badeau Jan 28 2025 at 8:35AM on page 1

Suggestion

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Kelly Badeau Jan 28 2025 at 8:31AM on page 1

Suggestion

I've already commented on the uselessness of speed humps, but I believe the residents in El Encanto are already lukewarm on the bikeway going through their neighborhood. I don't think speed humps are going to endear us (cyclists) to them. It's already a very low traffic neighborhood. I don't think speed humps are necessary and will stress again that chicanes actually work much better for speed control.

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Kelly Badeau Jan 28 2025 at 8:28AM on page 1

Suggestion

I live on a street with a speed hump. They are less than useless. People either speed over them, or they slow down and then gun it when they get over. Chicanes/bumpouts/any street NARROWING is more effective, and this is coming from someone who bikes 2000 miles a year in Tucson.

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Dario Jan 27 2025 at 9:55PM on page 1

Question

What is the best connection to El con mall from here? Would one have to take 5th from the bike path to go to El con?

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Joel Smith Jan 27 2025 at 7:25PM on page 1

Suggestion

I left this post-it note at your great event at Parkview Park, but it would be useful to have a traffic calming feature at 1st st (either a speed hump or a traffic circle). This will slow down traffic coming off/going onto speedway or in/out of Rancho Center.

Given the flood plain and budget constraints, what can be done to slow cars down and make this part of the bicycle boulevard actually safe and usable for cyclists? Thanks!

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in reply to Sven's comment

Spencer Jan 27 2025 at 4:02PM on page 1

Suggestion

If the streets are too narrow for cars then it sounds like they are perfect sized for a recommended cycling route.

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James Jan 26 2025 at 1:55PM on page 1

Suggestion

We are thrilled to have this route through our neighborhood! If some biking infrastructure can go in on speedway between the singaled crosswalk and Jones, then that route makes sense, otherwise backtracking to Howard on Speedway is generally lower stress (based on our experience) despite being a bit awkward. Bellevue is a great choice, especially with the traffic circle at Palo Verde.
Thanks!

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SFO Jan 26 2025 at 5:11AM on page 1

Suggestion

Thank you for doing this incredible work. As a family, we are so excited about this bike path. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Doggie waste bags plus trash can along the route.
2. Small signs discussing each borough’s history.
3. Small signage picturing and discussing wild life along the route.
4. Paint the path white for a cooler experience.
5. Paint a mural along the path. Also along crossings for more visibility and awareness.
6. Encourage small local businesses to open shop along routes within neighborhoods to increase walkability and local economy.

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in reply to Lorraine's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 22 2025 at 7:34PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks for this feedback Lorraine.

I wish we could add shade trees along the entirety of the route. Unfortunately, the funding we have is limited to what the voters approved in the Proposition 407 bond: enhanced crossings at major streets, traffic calming, wayfinding signage, pavement markings, and landscaping within traffic calming features like traffic circles.

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Lorraine Jan 22 2025 at 2:52PM on page 1

Suggestion

My husband and I are excited about this project. We walk on the western edge of Catalina High School every day. I would like the green crossing marks at Palo Verde and Pima to help slow cars. Also, a lot of the sidewalk is completely bare of any cover. I am hoping this project includes some new trees for pedestrian shade in summer. Many trees along Catalina's western edge have been chopped down by the city, I think.

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in reply to Walter Harris's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 22 2025 at 11:57AM on page 1

Suggestion

Hi Walter,

Thanks for this comment. This section (between 22nd St and Aviation Pkwy) recently received a 2" mill and fill as part of our Tucson Delivers Better Streets (411) program, but you're right, there are other segments where the pavement is in poor condition. We are currently working to improve the pavement along all segments of this project, and hope to address the majority of the pavement issues before installing the other features in late 2025 or early 2026.

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in reply to Baron T.'s comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 22 2025 at 11:53AM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks for this comment Baron.

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in reply to Baron T.'s comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 22 2025 at 11:52AM on page 1

Suggestion

Hi Baron,

It's not a bike boulevard yet! We're currently working on the design, so what we're showing here are ideas for improvements. Good suggestion on adding signs on Pima that indicate it's a Bike Blvd. We typically add Bike Blvd street sign toppers as part of these projects to highlight the route and while not shown here, that's our plan here as well.

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in reply to Kerry's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 22 2025 at 11:50AM on page 1

Suggestion

Kerry,

Our goal is to both improve the existing route along Kleindale Rd (planned but unfunded Bike Blvd) and Dodge AND work with Pima County to explore a new (and more direct) connection to their planned extension via Kleindale Rd and Kelvin Blvd.

As you pointed out, the existing route along Kleindale and Dodge to the existing segment of The Loop isn't perfect, but it gets you there. In the mid-to-long term, we hope it will get better.

We're working with Pima County to understand if it may be possible to provide a lower stress and more direct connection to The Loop at Kelvin. Stay tuned on that.

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Kerry Jan 21 2025 at 8:28AM on page 1

Suggestion

Kliendale at the end of the path shows no connection to The Loop. I may be missing something?

I take Kliendale to Dodge and Dodge is already built. I think taking Kliendale (or even Blacklidge) to Dodge would be generally safe and cheaper to build. Of course Dodge is a complete disaster, but I think it is on the list to be fixed.

Lastly the city limits are very close to Ft. Lowell. Are we working with the county for mutual endevours?

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in reply to Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager's comment

Kerry Jan 21 2025 at 8:18AM on page 1

Suggestion

I agree that low-travel streets inherently provide a safer route. However, the 20 MPH is never enforced and it appears no funding exists for police enforcement for ANY bike project in Tucson.

I think it's short-sighted to not include traffice enforcement. I think going to a 2x or 3x fine and points for speeders would fund traffic enforcement. I don't see this happening either.

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in reply to Abbott's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 20 2025 at 7:14PM on page 1

Suggestion

Abbot,

I can understand why you might have concerns about people biking sharing space with people driving.

It's a little counter-intuitive, but the data we and other cities have collected shows that people are less likely to be seriously injured or killed biking along narrow residential street compared to a wider street with more cars moving more quickly. This is true even when dedicated space for people biking is NOT provided along a low-volume, low-speed street and when a striped bike lane IS provided along a high-speed, high-volume street. The reason for this is that safety risk for people biking is almost entirely driven by the number of cars traveling along the street (exposure) and the speed they are travelling (crash severity).

In this case, the narrowness of the street both discourages cut-through vehicle traffic and encourages people to drive slow, so the narrow street is highly compatible with the bicycle facility type we've proposed.

What we're trying to build is a network of low-stress, low-risk bicycle boulevards that produce better safety outcomes than along any other type of street, and do it in a very cost-effective way.

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Abbott Jan 20 2025 at 11:36AM on page 1

Suggestion

This is a horrible idea considering the narrow streets that don't allow two cars to pass, much less with bicyclist. A DEADLY combination.

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Baron T. Jan 18 2025 at 1:41PM on page 1

Suggestion

Just putting this here to voice strong support for this.
It's already not very easy to get to El Con as a cyclist (my route typically takes me to El Con from Broadway), so I'm all for a new bike light near it. If there were further infrastructure (in the future) that would support a cyclist's ability to get from Broadway to El Con, or even get into El Con from the El Encanto neighborhood, I'd be very happy with that too.

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Baron T. Jan 18 2025 at 1:33PM on page 1

Suggestion

I won't lie, I had no idea this was a bike boulevard and I cross by this road on Pima St all the time. Some signs on Pima at this intersection that highlight it as a bike boulevard would be Very Nice.
But other than that, I'm really excited for this project! God knows us cyclists could use some safer paths than my normal commute (straight down Stone).

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in reply to Fletcher McCusker's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 17 2025 at 2:24PM on page 1

Suggestion

Hi Fletcher,

A low-stress bikeway connection along Broadway would be a nice addition. We actually looked into the feasibility of this during an earlier phase of work on this project where we looked at alternate routes between Speedway and Camino Campestre. It's possible, but wouldn't be cheap or easy due to the need to acquire private property, reconstruct driveways, and resolve utility conflicts. Most people we spoke to said they'd prefer to ride on a low speed, low volume street and avoid the stress and noise of the cars on Brodway even if we built an off-street shared use path.

As for "additional" bond funding from Proposition 407 - all the available funding is currently attached to other defined projects. We do not have a surplus to work with - in fact we are working to cut costs and identify supplemental funding to fill a projected funding gap.

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in reply to Walter Harris's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 17 2025 at 2:14PM on page 1

Suggestion

Thanks Walter. The streets are already pretty narrow so we didn't think chicanes would be very effective in reducing speeds. The design team looked at and discussed the potential for a traffic circle at Calle Primorosa, but we were concerned it might create confusion and we weren't convinced it was necessary for traffic calming.

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in reply to Bill's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 17 2025 at 2:09PM on page 1

Suggestion

Hi Bill,

We didn't forget about your request to have a speed hump on Via Palos Verdes west of the proposed 4-way STOP at Avenida de Palmas. It's still a possibility even though it's technically outside the geographic limits of this project. We'll need to have our designer and traffic engineers evaluate it once we have a better idea of where we are overall with the budget.

We are planning to install flexible posts as part of the push-button crossing at Broadway, yes. I was initially concerned about the available width here as well, but our designer has communicated that we will be able to maintain two 10' wide travel lanes for people driving, which is our preferred lane width for residential streets. We'll have more information and detailed drawings showing this at the next round of public meetings in the Spring.

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in reply to Fletcher McCusker's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 17 2025 at 1:48PM on page 1

Suggestion

Hi Fletcher,

You're right, Via Palos Verdes is narrow. There's no room for a bike lane and we're not proposing to add one. We're proposing installing Shared Lane Markings, wayfinding signs, and lowering the speed limit to 20mph. Since traffic volumes here are very low, the narrowness of the street is a good thing when it comes to the bicycle boulevard because it encourages people to drive slow around people biking.

We didn't include the existing "no parking" signs in this graphic, but we're not planning to remove them as part of this project.

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Bill Jan 17 2025 at 6:31AM on page 1

Question

Colonia Solana does have narrow street and the city is fully aware of this due a city email to the resident of Colonia Solana during the construction for widening of Broadway. The city was unable to place signs stating "Residents Only" during construction due to cut through traffic on Via Palos Verde which still continues. The residents have kept this email as proof the city has documented the street are too narrow. That said, and trying to move forward, Colonia Solana requested speed humps on both sides of the new proposed 4-way stop on Via Palos Verde which is NOT reflected in your rendering of the proposed path. Please keep the promise made that this would occur as for public safety reasons.

Also, the city has failed to enforce the " No Parking" signs that were placed throughout the neighborhood as requested by TFD. Due to the narrow street, parking on the streets within Colonia Solana for special events within Reid Park or Hi Corbett events, has restricted emergency vehicles to respond to fires or other emergency issues. As 911 operators have informed us when we do call to have TPD to respond to these parking concerns, the city has condoned parking on our street due to lack of parking capacity for these events, regardless of the public safety issue TFD addressed in the late 70"s.

I do have a question based on your photo. Is the city planning on placing bollards at the intersection of Via Palos Verde/Broadway? Again this is a concern as it places residents in danger when one is trying to ingress/egress the neighbor as this make this access point for the neighborhood extremely narrow which will cause head on accident if you push cars to one side of a very narrow street.
Thank you,
Bill Du Pont

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Fletcher McCusker Jan 16 2025 at 7:07PM on page 1

Question

Isn't there a redesign of the bike path around Reid Park in the works as part of the upgrades to the park. Shouldn't the Broadway crossing connect to the new route, and with some of the additional funding from the parks bond maybe a bridge over Broadway?

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Fletcher McCusker Jan 16 2025 at 7:00PM on page 1

Question

This section of Via Palos Verdes is so narrow now two cars can't pass; one has to pull over. Where on earth can you put a bike lane without exposing the riders to this too narrow street?

Both sides of the street are lined with No Parking signs due to the off site parking by the mini dorm on the corner of Broadway, where do those signs go?

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Walter Harris Jan 16 2025 at 3:10PM on page 1

Suggestion

Most of Palo Verde Ave is close to impassable on a bicycle due to the condition of the pavement. The discussion of existing speed humps suggests that the plans do not include repaving this road. For the boulevard to be a success, I believe this road has to be repaired.

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Walter Harris Jan 16 2025 at 3:03PM on page 1

Suggestion

I very much agree with the decision to go with speed humps in the El Encanto neighborhood (Note: I am a resident of El Encanto and live on N Camino Miramonte). The unique symmetry of this neighborhood would be severely impacted by the incorporation of traffic circles and/or chicanes and would likely lead to internal conflict within the neighborhood.

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in reply to rob's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 16 2025 at 12:00PM on page 1

Suggestion

Rob,

Your suggestion is a great one, and I wish! The available budget will not allow us to remove and reconstruct the existing push-button crossing, unfortunately. We will be developing some options for ways we can improve access to the existing crossing for the next round of public meetings.

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in reply to Jennifer's comment

Collin Chesston, City's Project Manager Jan 16 2025 at 11:57AM on page 1

Suggestion

Jennifer,

During the alternatives analysis phase of the work we looked at both Ritchey and Dodge, but neither of those routes performed as well as the voter-approved route. I understand your concern about the traffic in the shopping center. Just to clarify, the current proposal does not use the parking lot of Rancho Center but assumes that people biking would either use the existing sidewalk or bike lanes (possibly with some modifications to make them more comfortable) along Speedway. In an ideal world we would reconstruct this crossing so it lined up with Camino Miramonte. Unfortunately the project budget does not allow for this, so we'll need to make some low-cost tweaks to improve the existing crossing as best as we can!