Sedona
has a problem
 Two
out of three voters think Sedona has a traffic problem that
must be solved*. Most of the rest understand it is a problem
even though it may not be one for them personally.
And almost
80% agree that it is important to have an alternate route
for traffic when Highway 179 construction takes place.
| "The
Sedona Medical Center Foundation Board is acutely aware
of the importance of primary medical assistance in the
shortest possible time when patients suffer cardiac arrest,
strokes, or other critical medical needs caused by illness
or accident. Minutes lost in transporting victims in need
of medical assistance can cause unnecessary loss of life.
For these reasons, the Sedona Medical Center Foundation
Board endorses the Verde Valley School Road / Red Rock
Crossing / Upper Red Rock Loop Alternate Route."
Harry
Schoenberg, M.D.
Chairman, Sedona Medical Center Foundation Board |
Gridlock
Puts the Brakes on Sedona
 Shortly,
Highway 179 re-construction will commence turning the current
terrible and dangerous traffic situation into complete chaos.
During the reconstruction process, one lane of the highway
will be completely closed in the construction area, creating
gridlock.
The widening
of Highway 179 between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona
may provide a safer, long-term solution to the current problems
that exist. But for the estimated 3 years it will take to
complete the project, area residents will experience daily
stoppages.
Commute
times will triple. People will minimize travel to avoid the
nightmare. Local businesses are threatened, road rage becomes
news and response times for emergency vehicles become dangerously
slow.
 With
no bypass or alternate route to this stretch of road, we are
about to witness massive traffic backups which will waste
time, precious fuel and increase pollution.
An
Alternative Exists for Sedona - Citizens for an Alternate
Route
CFAR
is a non-profit organization of area citizens dedicated to
the construction of an alternate route between the Village
of Oak Creek and West Sedona, concerned with the safety of
residents and visitors alike.
It is
vital to the future of our community to ensure this alternate
route exists. The failure to address this
issue will seriously diminish our quality of life.
The
Best Solution
 Numerous
alternatives have been explored over time. The most obvious
and simple would be the re-opening of the Red Rock Crossing.
This is a road that has been used since the stagecoach days,
paved in the early 30’s and ultimately used by many
up until the time it was washed out by a great storm in the
late 70’s.
Even though
the majority of citizens supported the reconstruction of the
road, it was never repaired due to the special interests of
a few.
This
Issue Has a Past
 Despite
long-standing public support for an alternate route, special
interest groups and politicians hijacked Sedona traffic.
An alternate
route, already used for nearly 100 years,
exists. And it’s already complete with public right-of-way.
We need only to bridge the gap. But to do that, we
need your help.
The
Time for Action is NOW
 Reasonable,
responsible Sedonans are coming together. They agree the time
has come to avoid transportation, economic, medical, and fire
catastrophe by opening an alternate route at Red Rock Crossing.
Why would
we NOT move ahead to solve the impending gridlock and economic
disaster that stares us in the face by restoring the crossing?
It’s an initiative supported by
the majority of residents and the most cost-effective
alternative available to intolerable commutes.
How
You Can Help Keep Sedona Moving
We need
your support in any way you can help. This is vital to our
community and to our quality of life. Click here to learn
how you can take action that will ensure Sedona isn't’t
crippled by gridlock.
"The
Board of Directors of the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber
of Commerce voted its unanimous support of the CRAR,
Inc's efforts to provide an alternate route from the
Village of Oak Creek to West Sedona. For some time now,
the need for an alternate route to protect the public
health, welfare, and safety of the community has been
apparent."
Evelyn
Grgurich
President, Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce |
*
Source: Robinson & Muenster Associates poll of 400 registered
voters conducted September 2003
|
