recreationists, campers, and ranchers. Some nearby areas are also leased for cattle
grazing. Expansion or enhancement of Cottonwood Canyon Road could result in
additional users and increase encroachment concerns.
Roadway Capacity
Roadway capacity relates to the ability of existing and future freeways, highways,
arterials, and local roads to provide adequate mobility and access between military
installations and their surrounding communities.
As urban development expands into rural areas, roads once used primarily to provide
access for agricultural uses and limited local traffic begin to function as urban arterial
roadways. These once rural roads often become the main transportation corridors for all
types of traffic – from residential to commercial trucking – and can assist or impede
access to military installations. As transportation systems grow and provide more
capacity, these facilities may induce and encourage growth as rural areas become more
accessible. Two issues relating to Roadway Capacity have been identified as part of this
JLUS.
Access to Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 is not separated
from travel lanes.
State Route 79 is the main thoroughfare between the Town of Florence and
US 60 and has a speed limit of 65 miles per hour. The lack of turn lanes for
accessing Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 results in potential
conflicts and safety concerns between military vehicles entering or leaving the
installation and civilian traffic using State Route 79. Additionally, there are no
signs to alert civilian drivers that military traffic may be entering or exiting the
highway.
Traffic congestion occurs during drill weekends.
Arizona Army National Guard drill weekends at Florence Military Reservation
typically involve convoys of military vehicles that come from other locales and
often drive under the posted speed limits. This may impact civilian traffic and is
of increasing concern for local law enforcement.
Safety
Safety zones are areas in which development should be more restrictive regarding uses
by and concentrations of people due to the higher risks to public safety. Issues to
consider include aircraft operations and live fire weapons ranges.
Military installations often engage in activities or contain facilities that, due to public
safety concerns, require special consideration by local jurisdictions when evaluating
compatibility. It is important to establish compatible land use policies near military
Pinal County Joint Land Use Study
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