30 July 21 - Aug. 3, 2007
Opinion
www.SanTanSun.com
Community
Commentary
Method to madness of Chandler road construction
by Mayor Boyd W. Dunn updated every five years. This process helps identify will be added to Ray Road and Queen Creek Road
Sometimes I wonder if there’s a street in our City the most pressing transportation issues and where in coming years.
that is untouched by construction. I hear about it the City should focus its efforts. Needs identified in Chandler also is excited to be the newest member
from some of you and understand completely. the plan become part of the CIP. We just now began of Valley Metro Rail, having passed a Council
The road in front of my neighborhood is currently the process of updating our plan and will provide resolution in March to join with Phoenix, Glendale,
torn up, and two more road projects to the east are many opportunities for community input. Mesa and Tempe in the planning of the Valley’s
about to begin. Our focus remains on the widening of undersized light rail system.
Why is this happening? Because it needs to arterial streets and major intersections. Most of the We’ve also been working with the Arizona
happen. street widening is occurring in south Chandler, Department of Transportation to move up
Between 1990 and 2000, Chandler was the while the widening of existing intersections is construction of HOV lanes on the Price Freeway
seventh fastest growing city in the United States of occurring mostly in north and west Chandler. from 2010 to 2008, about the same time our new
those with a population over 100,000. We remained Over the next five years, you will see additional regional Park and Ride facility near Tumbleweed
in the top 10 through 2005 and currently are ranked traffic lanes added to portions of Gilbert, Cooper, Park will become operational.
the16th fastest growing city in America. McQueen, Price, Germann, Queen Creek, Ocotillo, So while at times it may appear haphazard,
Keeping up with this growth has required and Chandler Heights roads, plus sections of Arizona you should know that a great deal of thought
major investments in our infrastructure. These Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. Impact fees in has gone into the planning of our transportation
improvements make up what is called a Capital excess of $190 million obtained from developers improvements. Keeping pace with the impacts
Improvement Program, or CIP. The largest will help pay for these projects. arising from our own growth, and that of adjoining
component of our 5-Year CIP, $335 million, involves Upcoming intersection widening projects cities, is a job we take seriously.
improvements to our transportation system. include Dobson/Warner, Dobson/Chandler, Alma In 2004, Chandler became the first city in Arizona
The City has established specific criteria to School/Ray, Alma School/Chandler Boulevard, to have its Public Works Department accredited by
help define transportation priorities. Such criteria Ray/McClintock, and Ray/Dobson. Several projects the American Public Works Association (APWA),
can include traffic volumes, accident rates, right- being paid for with nearly $9 million in federal and last year won the 2006 Management Innovation
of-way impacts and consistency with adjacent grants (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Award from APWA. In 2005, the department received
jurisdictions. grants) include the paving of the Commonwealth one of only three “Department of the year” awards
We also seek public input to guide our decisions. Avenue alignment east of Hamilton street and from Public Works Magazine.
It was just such input in 2005 that resulted in the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Price So while awaiting the completion of that
acceleration of several major street improvements. Freeway at Galveston Street. torn up road along your commute or near your
We also have a Transportation Commission Improving transit service also is a priority. New neighborhood or business, know that there is a
that advises the City Council on community funding from the passage of Proposition 400 in 2004 method to the madness, that we appreciate your
transportation policy issues. will provide funds for a significant increase in public patience, and that we are committed to doing the
Applying our transportation priorities to transit in Chandler and the rest of the Valley. Some best job we can.
the streets of our community is a challenging improvements already have been made, including Now I need to call someone to remove the
undertaking. So much needs to be done, but it increased bus service on Rural Road and Chandler barricades from in front of my driveway.
cannot occur all at once (though it may seem like Boulevard and increased funding for Dial-A-Ride.
that is what’s happening). To guide our process, Several regional bus routes will be extended into
a Transportation Master Plan is developed and south Chandler beginning in 2009 and new routes
Young police officer to experience dream come true
by Vice Mayor Lowell Huggins have the capabilities of honoring Shevy’s request, Chandler and the entire event will be video taped
Shevy Wright is about to become the Chandler though they did give him a wonderful trip to Disney for his family to keep forever.
Police Department’s youngest police officer in its World. That’s when Shevy’s mom gave our Police After the ceremony, he will enjoy a helicopter
storied history. Frankly, I was a pretty young guy Department a call. It did not take long for our ride, perform training, do a ride along with another
when I began my police career several decades ago. officers to come up with a plan to make his dream officer, talk on the police radio and hang out
And the new officers on the streets these days all come true. with the K-9 and Bike teams. Talking with officers
seem awfully young. But Shevy? Well, he’s all of 9 I have always found the members of our Police who have coordinated this miracle, all they could
years old. And that’s no typo. Department to be among the most caring and say was that the excitement on his face when he
This young Chandler resident has been diagnosed compassionate people in the world. And on July 18 was told what was going to happen was beyond
with cancer, and sadly, may not reach an age where they will show us why that is when Shevy will be explanation.
he can legally attain status as a police officer. honored as an official Chandler Police Officer for In typical fashion, members of the department
But that did not stop Shevy from his dream, nor a day. He’ll experience a badge pinning ceremony will finance this dream out of their own pockets. It
did it stop the members of the Chandler Police at Police headquarters complete with a certificate is a costly undertaking because of the custom fit
Department from making that a reality. commemorating the event. uniform and accessories, but in the minds of these
Not too long ago the Wright family spoke with This courageous young man has also been fitted individuals, it is little compared to the experience
officials from the Make-a-Wish Foundation and for a complete police uniform and will also receive young Shevy will have.
told them about Shevy’s dream to be a Chandler an assortment of police gear items. Mayor Boyd
Police Officer. Unfortunately, Make-a-Wish did not Dunn will proclaim that day “Shevy Wright Day” in
See Young officer Page 31
Deadlines for the August 4, 2007 issue:
ADVERTISING:
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
EDITORIAL:
Thursday, July 26, 2007
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