Union Pacific road closures coming up within the next month

[CopaDave]

I did not make the beginning of the meeting. A fire in the Meadows intruded.  However, this is what I took away from the meeting tonight.

Farrell will not be fixed on UPRR's dime.  The City is approaching the City Council about getting it fixed, but they doubt it will be done by the Porter Rd closure date, because of the holidays and getting a company to get in and fix it so quickly.

Porter Rd will be closed on Jan 7-8. All traffic will proceed South from Santa Rosa Springs to Peters & Nall Rd, and then West to SR347.

Hartman Rd will be closed on Jan 5-6, and traffic will be rerouted West on Peters & Nall Rd to White & Parker Rd.

I missed the detour plan for White & Parker Rd, but she is emailing it to me, so I will post it when I get it.

There was almost no lead-time warning on this project.  Permit requests were submitted in late October, and the dates were announced 3 week ago.

The city, and UPRR will grade and water the unpaved section of Porter Rd between Farrell and Peters & Nall, to keep the dust down.

One resident of Santa Rosa Springs:

was very vocal in her displeasure, and was not satisfied with any of the explanations offered by UPRR or the City.

Finally she admitted that she had to make a trip to the airport on the 8th, and did not want to drive down the unpaved portion of Porter Rd.

Also, there is a public meeting on Dec 21, prior to the City Council meeting, regarding options for the Grade Separation at White & Parker Rd.

[CopaDave]

Why does it take this city so damn long to fix a pothole???

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - No budget for it.

According to the City representative there tonight, the only reason Farrell is not still dirt is because of the 347 crossing upgrade.  MUSD pushed for it to be paved so the school busses could get across without long delays while 347 was closed earlier this year.

It was a rush job, and because of the rain earlier this year, there are car-eating sinkholes out there.

[Merryg]

Thank you for the updates.  We were unable to attend.  Even though it's only for two days, it sounds like a nightmare!  ONe of those days is a Friday.  Expect school transportation to be focked up because of this!  I think we'll just walk that day since DH will be driving the car to work!  Hopefully, knock on wood, there aren't any emergencies out here. 

[Sam]

Friday, really?  I didn't even check, I just assumed it was Saturday/Sunday since it was two days.  Friday/Saturday seems like weird days to do it.

[Fritzydoodle]

Cross your fingers.  When they did the crossings near CG - they posted the signs for the two days closure but were done before the first day was over.

[Merryg]

Watch . . . that's when we'll have another big rain and the wash gets flooded.  THEN what?!  LOL

[Tempting Fait]

Watch . . . that's when we'll have another big rain and the wash gets flooded.  THEN what?!  LOL

You know what, Merry, I'd just take the kids out of school that day, I'd offer to let you guys spend the night here, but already offered to someone else that lives out there.

[Merryg]

Awwwww that's ok!  I probably will do that.  DH has to work so we'll see how the detours go! 

[Maricopa360]

I would NOT go west on Peters & Nall!  That's one of the roughest paved roads I've ever driven on.  It's been that way for years.  West of Porter is Ak-Chin and I guess they don't care how crappy the road to their tribal headquarters is.  It would be better as a dirt road... At least it would be graded once in a while.

I recommend turning left on P&N and heading to White-Parker.  The reservation ends at Porter and the county maintains P&N east of there.  It's a lot smoother.

[mallardisme]

Dave can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Maricopa and UPRR will do grading and will also water the roads down to make sure the road is drivable and to keep the dust down.

[Sam]

Dave can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Maricopa and UPRR will do grading and will also water the roads down to make sure the road is drivable and to keep the dust down.

They will... for Porter.  P&N is paved, but it's totally worn-out.  Like I said, it's one of the roughest roads, paved or dirt, that I've ever drive on.

[CopaDave]

I received the detour information from UPRR today. All of the handouts at the meeting were handed out.

Info to follow.

[CopaDave]

The following bulleted information is directly from UPRR's presentation slides.

What exactly is UPRR doing?

• Second Track will be added in areas where grading had previously been done.
• Second Track will be added through crossings that have been previously approved by the Arizona Corporate Commission.
• Pavement around crossings will be improved.
• Track at crossings will be monitored for any settlement and may need additional work.

Roads that will be impacted:

• Hartman Road - Dec. 18-19, 2010
• White and Parker Road - Jan. 5-6, 2011
• Porter Road - Jan. 7-8, 2011

Please note

• Work will not impact Amtrak or customers in the area.
• Work will not be as cumbersome as 347.
• Weather or other unexpected elements may impact schedule.

Benefits to City of Maricopa

• Trains will travel more efficiently through the community, decreasing the wait times at crossings.
• Motorists will have smoother rides over the crossings.
• Upgrade crossings, better drainage.
• Local contractors used for non-rail related work.
• Local hospitality supports our out of town crews.

Next steps for double track

• City of Maricopa is done!
• Rest of work needs to be done West of Tucson.

EDITORIAL NOTE: Why isn't work being done on Sunday?  The union doesn't work on Sunday. UPRR cannot schedule work on Sunday unless it is an emergency, due to union contracts.

[CopaDave]

UPRR and the City of Maricopa have come up with the following detour routes for the closed crossings. Interesting to note that they are not suggesting Peters & Nall to 347. Guess they drove that road, too.

Hartman Road Crossing:


White & Parker Road Crossing:


Porter Road Crossing:

[Pet Social Worker]

Is Farrell going to be fixed by then?

Yes. Carl rec'd confirmation of that yesterday I believe.