TUCSON— Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva sent a letter to the Arizona Department of Transportation urging the I-11 EIS Study Team to extend the public comment period that ends on August 16, 2021 by 90 days to ensure ample time for comment for impacted communities. 

“While I support efforts to physically connect Arizona and Nevada via transportation corridors to facilitate Canadian and Mexican trade routes, we must do so with the backing and support of local impacted communities,” wrote Rep. Grijalva. “As I stated in earlier comments for the record, a significant review should include alternatives to highway creation like rail and multi-model transportation systems designed to alleviate congestion and increase alternative transportation options for commercial needs and users in the region.”

“I along with hundreds of concerned constituents remain opposed to any highway plan that results in widespread environmental destruction to areas in the Avra Valley including Ironwood Forest National Monument, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain Park and Tribal lands,” continued Rep. Grijalva. “In addition, being that there is no current federal funding for the I-11 project, there should be no rush to finalize the EIS without affording stakeholders the needed amount of time to thoroughly review and submit comments for this EIS process.”

In the past, Rep. Grijalva has raised numerous concerns about the potential environmental concerns of the proposed route of I-11 running through Avra Valley. He submitted public comments in both 2017 and 2019 expressing concern for how the proposed route would impact rural communities and environmental treasures in the area. 

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