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This project will improve Drexel Road by serving as an alternative to Irvington and Valencia Roads, but on a smaller scale. It will provide better access into and out of the Midvale Park neighborhood and Tucson Spectrum on the west side of Interstate 19, immediately east of Calle Santa Cruz. It will also provide multi-modal access for bikes, pedestrians, cars, and public transportation, connectivity to the Loop path, an opportunity for more direct and efficient transit, and can improve response times by first responders.

We anticipate construction to begin in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026, depending on funding availability.

14 to 16 months

A traffic study is being conducted that will provide estimates of what the traffic will be on Drexel Road through the year 2045 if the bridge is constructed. View preliminary traffic projections.

As part of an environmental evaluation, several technical reports will be completed, including an air quality analysis, noise analysis, and hazardous materials assessment. These reports will allow the project team to document the existing conditions, as well as the impacts from the bridge, and help determine if mitigation is needed.

If you need immediate assistance, please contact the appropriate City of Tucson department:

Abandoned shopping carts can be reported to Tucson’s Department of Environmental and General Services by calling 520-791-3171, emailing us, visiting our website, or through the City of Tucson’s new service request portal.

Homeless encampments can be reported through the Homelessness Encampment Protocol Reporting Tool or the 311 Service Request Portal.

The project team is evaluating traffic near the school for potential impacts. The City of Tucson works hand in hand with TUSD throughout the City to create safe access to schools: appropriate signage, crossing guard staffing, and working with local law enforcement. Additionally, the City is continuing to pursue project improvements along the entire extent of Drexel. Although outside this project’s limits, the City can evaluate interim safety improvements near Grijalva Elementary as a separate effort.

It is anticipated that two new traffic signals will be included in the project, including one at the intersection of Drexel Road and Calle Santa Cruz and Drexel Road and Midvale Park Road.

No new travel lanes will be added to Drexel Road as part of this project. It will remain two thru-lanes between Mahan Drive and Midvale Park Road. However, it is likely that a center turn-lane will be added to accommodate neighborhood access, along with improved pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, which will require moving the curb back. No private property will be impacted by those alterations.

Drexel Road from Midvale Park Road to Mission Road will be repaved as part of the Collector Program. Learn more about the Collector Program.

Funding has been identified to repave Calle Santa Cruz between Valencia Rd and Irvington Road as part of the Collector Program. Learn more about the Collector Program.

The bridge will carry two lanes of traffic (one lane in each direction).

It is anticipated that the Loop path will connect in some way to the bridge, however connections will be developed during design. Additionally, Pima County Flood Control will be upgrading and reopening the Loop on the east bank, as well as extending it south to Valencia Road in the coming years.

Providing safe and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle accommodation is a priority of the Drexel Road Bridge project. The design team will consider various ways to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists on the bridge. Options include wide multi-use paths for both bicyclists and pedestrians, separate bike lanes adjacent to raised normal-width pedestrian sidewalks, bike lanes with and without buffers, etc.

Yes, the City will hire an artist who will be incorporated into the design team.

Landscape amenities have not been determined yet, but could include planting of vegetation and trees, water harvesting, and ground covering (including decomposed granite, gravel, or other low-water use amenities).

This project is not fully funded at this time and the City will pursue federal grant funding to supplement the funding it currently has. The current funding includes $4 million in local Highway User Revenue Funds (primarily paid through the state gas tax and the Vehicle License Tax) and development impact fees and $15 million in State of Arizona funds (General Fund), for a total of $19 million. It is anticipated that the full project cost will be $38-$39 million.