TUCSON, Ariz. — The City of Tucson continues to move forward plans to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety It’s on Congress Avenue and Grande Avenue, which are known for heavy traffic and, in some cases, fatal accidents.

EffortMotivated by community input and supported by voter-approved bond measures, the project focuses on making these streets safer for all users, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The project managed by Tucson Department of Transportation and MobilityIt aims to address safety concerns that grew after an incident in 2021 in which a young girl died due to a jaywalking accident at the intersection of Congress Avenue and Grande Boulevard.

The tragedy spurred the Menlo Park Neighborhood Association to advocate for improvements, and the city responded with a comprehensive Road Safety Assessment completed in late 2021.

Department of Transport and Mobility project manager Ben Elias explained the origins of the project.

“One of the starting points was Tucson Providing Parks and Connectivity,” Elias said, referring to the voter-backed initiative that included Proposition 407. “Grande Boulevard is one of the connections we aim to improve, especially in terms of pedestrian safety and walkability.”

Community members recently gathered in a session to provide feedback on the proposed design.

Elias described the scope of the improvements, which include reconfigured street lanes, protected bike lanes and other improvements.

“We’re giving people more options and safer facilities for those who seek them,” he said, emphasizing the city’s commitment to balancing safety with maintaining traffic flow.

For Menlo Park resident Devin Robles, who bikes to work at the Pima County Public Library, these changes are a welcome development.

“It can be a little scary,” Robles said of biking in the area. “There are some fast cars going by there, so it feels a bit dangerous sometimes.”

Robles believes the project will create a safer environment not only for cyclists but for the entire community.

“This increases engagement between everyone, and everyone can find a way to use this space they create,” he said.

The project will be funded by two proposals 407 and 411, which focus on the development of local infrastructure.

Proposition 407 supports park improvements and new bicycle and pedestrian connections, while Proposition 411 funds street lighting, sidewalks, traffic-calming features and other safety measures.

Area residents will have another chance to voice their opinions at the next meeting scheduled for Nov. 20 at the El Rio Community Center.

Elias encouraged the community to participate.

“We want to say to the community multiple times, ‘Hey, here’s what you think,’ and get feedback on it,” he said, underscoring the importance of community involvement in shaping the final design.

The design phase of the project is expected to continue until early 2025, with construction to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.