2022-02-16 12:34:33 -0500
To: John S. Halikowski
Support the expansion of US 93 in Arizona
Fatalities are increasing on U.S Highway 93 in Arizona. This Highway in Arizona runs from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line.
A study shows that Highway 93 is ranked one of the deadliest highways in the country. Between 2010 and 2016 there were 70 crashes and a total of 90 fatalities. The same study shows that this Highway is the 4th worst Highway for emergency medical service wait times due to the lack of expansion of the roads.
This road is traveled by an average of 10,000 cars a day. It is estimated 1 per every 15,000 cars a crash occurs. There has been a 40 percent increase in crashes from the year 2015 to 2019. As well as 21 deaths specifically from milepost 161-180. In 2019 alone there was a total of 248 crashes.
In 2020 an additional 14 deaths occurred. It is clear that the death toll on this Highway is rising significantly, however, it doesn’t appear to be getting the full attention from the state officials that it so desperately needs.
According to Jeff Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, trooper staffing in Wickenburg is so low they typically only have 1 trooper patrolling the highway at a time. Hawkins is lobbying the state and Gov. Ducey for higher trooper pay to help with recruiting in the meantime while a plan for expanding the Highway continues.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, more than $500 million was spent in previous years to improve the highway, including upgrading portions from a two-lane to a four-lane, divided freeway. Multiple sources have reported lack of funding for the full expansion of this Highway, resulting in the crash and fatality rates continuing to rise. Most in which occur on the mileposts that still remain a two-lane road.
Affirmative action needs to be taken to guarantee that when this plan is bid on in the fall, it is backed by anyone and everyone that can help see it through.
It is true that all drivers should use precaution when driving at all times, but there is a reason why THIS Highway is deemed one of the deadliest in the country. It is time to take action and serve our state the way it deserves.
A study shows that Highway 93 is ranked one of the deadliest highways in the country. Between 2010 and 2016 there were 70 crashes and a total of 90 fatalities. The same study shows that this Highway is the 4th worst Highway for emergency medical service wait times due to the lack of expansion of the roads.
This road is traveled by an average of 10,000 cars a day. It is estimated 1 per every 15,000 cars a crash occurs. There has been a 40 percent increase in crashes from the year 2015 to 2019. As well as 21 deaths specifically from milepost 161-180. In 2019 alone there was a total of 248 crashes.
In 2020 an additional 14 deaths occurred. It is clear that the death toll on this Highway is rising significantly, however, it doesn’t appear to be getting the full attention from the state officials that it so desperately needs.
According to Jeff Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, trooper staffing in Wickenburg is so low they typically only have 1 trooper patrolling the highway at a time. Hawkins is lobbying the state and Gov. Ducey for higher trooper pay to help with recruiting in the meantime while a plan for expanding the Highway continues.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, more than $500 million was spent in previous years to improve the highway, including upgrading portions from a two-lane to a four-lane, divided freeway. Multiple sources have reported lack of funding for the full expansion of this Highway, resulting in the crash and fatality rates continuing to rise. Most in which occur on the mileposts that still remain a two-lane road.
Affirmative action needs to be taken to guarantee that when this plan is bid on in the fall, it is backed by anyone and everyone that can help see it through.
It is true that all drivers should use precaution when driving at all times, but there is a reason why THIS Highway is deemed one of the deadliest in the country. It is time to take action and serve our state the way it deserves.
Why is this important?
There’s a reason why you are more likely to get in a car accident than a plane crash in your lifetime. It doesn’t help when the road you may be driving on is labeled one of the deadliest in the COUNTRY. Countless lives have been lost on highway 93 in Arizona, specifically where the road is only two lanes.
Expansion of this highway won’t prevent all crashes but it can significantly decrease the total and ultimately save many lives.
Your support matters. It only takes a second to sign.
Expansion of this highway won’t prevent all crashes but it can significantly decrease the total and ultimately save many lives.
Your support matters. It only takes a second to sign.