SAFFORD — Public comment during the state Transportation Board meeting in Safford on Friday was dominated by those who traffic in the sky.
Members of the Arizona Airports Association spoke to the board about the state Legislature’s recent sweep of $15.8 million from the state Aviation Fund.
Jacob Allen, with the Show Low Airport, listed a number of projects rural airports have to cancel or delay due to the loss of funds, while Ed Rose, manager of the Sedona Airport, said the sweep of funds will impact airport safety and increase costs by 4 to 12 percent. He said air service yields a 40-to-1 return on investment.
“Airline service not only connects rural communities to global markets by promoting tourism, it also promotes economic development, which we desperately need,” said Cameron Atkins, manager of the Safford Airport.
The airport representatives asked the ADOT Board to support development of a state air service program, which seeks to get commercial air service in rural airports. Signed on to the project are Safford, Sedona, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Mohave County Airport Authority, Yuma, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon West airports.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Board member Jenny Howard, whose district includes Graham, Gila and Pinal counties, said she was glad the airport representatives let the board know what they need.
“I wish them the best and I support them in any way I can,” Howard said. “We had quite a bit cut last year, from the state, due to deficits.”
The board also heard from those concerned about safety on area roads, as well as updates on projects in the region. The new roundabout at Three-Way in Greenlee County is 83-percent complete, while the Queen Creek and Waterfall bridge replacement projects on U.S. Highway 60 in Pinal County are 43- and 23-percent complete, respectively.
The construction of a 1-mile westbound passing lane on U.S. Highway 70 west of Bylas is just getting underway and should be complete by March 2026. And 5 miles of pavement rehabilitation on Highway 70 in Safford and Thatcher — from 8th Street to Reay Lane — is scheduled to begin this fall, will cost $9.5 million and should be complete by June 2026.
