Marana receives grant for Cortaro Interchange planning and design
Published on January 10, 2025
(Rendering of the Cortaro Farms Road Interchange Grade Separation Project provided by PSOMAS)
MARANA - The Town of Marana has been awarded $20.4 million in federal grant funding from the Federal Railroad Administration as part of the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program. The grant will go toward the cost of the I-10 Cortaro Farms Road Interchange Grade Separation project and will be used to develop a Design Concept Report and environmental documents to construct a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad, including a new traffic interchange with Interstate 10. The award will fund the project to approximately 30% of the design.
“This grant is a significant step toward addressing one of our region's most critical infrastructure needs," said Mayor Jon Post. "This project will not only improve the quality of life for Marana residents, but will also improve connectivity and strengthen the entire region. Thank you to our congressional delegation, state legislators, and project partners for their advocacy and support. We look forward to continuing this momentum as we move closer to securing full funding."
The RCE grant was made possible through the following legislative authority:
Section 22305 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 49 U.S.C. § 22909. Funding made available by the FY 2023 and 2024 advance appropriations provided in Title VIII of Division J of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and by remaining unawarded FY 2022 RCE Program balances.
This highly competitive award follows a concerted years-long effort by Town staff to engage the community to determine project impact and present a compelling argument to the Federal Railroad Administration. Staff hosted a series of public meetings in 2023 and conducted a survey to gather feedback on the proposed overpass over the Union Pacific Railroad and the reconstruction of the Cortaro Road traffic interchange at Interstate 10.
Additionally, letters of support(PDF, 4MB) were provided by numerous community partners:
- Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. Senator
- Mark Kelly, U.S. Senator
- Juan Ciscomani, U.S. Congressman
- Jason Pike, Arizona Corporation Commission
- Anthony Casselman, Arizona Department of Transportation
- Lisa Hagins, Arizona Transportation Builders Association
- Farhad Moghimi, Pima Association of Governments
- Jan Lesher, Pima County
- Ted Maxwell, Southern Arizona Leadership Council
- Michael S. Guymon, Tucson Metro Chamber
- Amanda Wiggins, Marana Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Daniel Streeter, Marana Unified School District
- Norman K. “Brad” Bradley III, Northwest Fire District
- Chris Stoltz, CalPortland
- David Mottola, Swire Coca-Cola
“Having reliable and efficient transportation infrastructure is essential to the operations of our communities, and as your Congressman, I was proud to collaborate with our community of stakeholders to help deliver federal funds for the Cortaro Farms Road Project,” said Juan Ciscomani, who represents Arizona’s 6th District in the House of Representatives. “This funding will help modernize one of Marana’s key transportation corridors, and I commend the town for their strategic leadership on this important project.”
"The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety and improving mobility, as the project will form the basis for efforts to improve mobility for all users, reduce congestion, improve safety, improve air quality, facilitate goods movement, and create a better quality of life for those in the region," The Federal Railroad Administration cites as part of the FY 2023-2024 selections project summaries report.
The RCE grant represents 10 percent of the total project cost, which is projected at approximately $200 million. Town of Marana will contribute the 20 percent non-Federal match. $10 million was also granted from the State of Arizona as part of Senate Bill 1722 during the 2023 - 56th legislative session. At this time, the Town of Marana has identified approximately 15% of the total project cost.
About the RCE program
The purpose of the RCE program is to provide funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. The RCE program is authorized by Section 22305 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 49 U.S.C. § 22909. Funding for this program made available by the FY 2023 and 2024 advance appropriations provided in Title VIII of Division J of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and by remaining unawarded FY 2022 RCE Program balances.