By Albert Vetere Lannon | Arizona Daily Independent
District 3 Congressman Raul Grijalva has publically come out in opposition to building a new highway, Interstate 11, in the Avra Valley west of Tucson. In comments submitted to the Arizona Dept. of Transportation’s I-11 Study Team, Grijalva expressed support for transportation corridors along Interstates 10 and 19, saying this option would “most benefit” Tucson and the Pima County metro region. He said the Avra Valley alternative options would have “a negative impact on dark skies, wilderness values, and quality of life for residents of that community.”
The congressman echoed criticisms of an Avra Valley I-11 route that the Avra Valley Coalition has been making since it first surfaced as the “I-10 Bypass” 10 years ago, with a subsequent route laid out and championed by Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry in 2013.
