Laz Paz County, Arizona, Mohave Road Reconstruction

Approximately $25 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help rebuild Mohave Road in La Paz County, Arizona. The road has had a history of fatal crashes and is also home to the Colorado River Indian Reservation headquarters, so this reconstruction project is critical to ensuring the safety of the community.

Historical context

• “The project would correct safety deficiencies that have led to injury or fatal crashes at two of the six most dangerous intersections on Mohave Road. Within the 10.5 mile project limits over a three year period from 2017- 2019, there were 74 total crashes, 29 injury crashes and 44 property damage crashes.” – U.S. Department of Transportation, last accessed June 2, 2023

Project summary

• “This project will reconstruct Mohave Road from State Route 95 south to Agnes Wilson Road for a length of approximately 10.50 miles, including asphalt pavement and shoulders, intersection turn lane improvements, street-lighting, and signage.” – U.S. Department of Transportation, last accessed June 2, 2023

Outcomes, improvements, and practical impact

• “This project will improve the main road used by school buses, mail delivery, emergency services, and goods movement, and will improve access to social services, especially health care.” – U.S. Department of Transportation, last accessed June 2, 2023

Racial equity and justice impact

• “This project is also innovative because it will support the planned deployment of broadband along the corridor, to reach this rural and historically disadvantaged community.” – U.S. Department of Transportation, last accessed June 2, 2023
  • The road runs straight through the Colorado River Indian Reservation, and the headquarters of the Tribe is on this road as well. – Colorado River Indian Tribes Government, last accessed June 2, 2023

Economic impact

• The Colorado River Indian Tribes have called for a better transit system. They have asked for: “1. A phased implementation of a fixed route system. Focused on the Tribal community near the Parker area. Point to point fixed route to outlying concentrations of tribal activity 2. Phased implementation of demand-responsive service for rural communities. Prioritization by tribal leaders of rural focus areas. Reservation-wide services.” – Arizona Memory Project, February 2014
• The reconstruction work must use iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials manufactured in the United States. “On 11 August 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced awarding financial support for the Mohave Road Reconstruction project in Arizona that is subject to Buy America requirements. The project will be undertaken by the Colorado Indian River Tribes. The financial support will be in the form of a grant with a total value of USD 25 million. More specifically, under Buy America rules, all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in this project must be manufactured in the United States.” – Global Trade Alert, August 11, 2022
• “They felt that a gap in transportation was the lack of transportation to Phoenix. Greyhound goes from Ehrenberg to Blythe, California, but does not go to Parker. They occasionally get calls for medical trips to Phoenix.” – Arizona Memory Project, February 2014
• The proximity of Mohave Road to the California border could help mitigate some of these problems listed in the 2014 report of needs. – Colorado River Indian Tribes Government, last accessed June 2, 2023

Official supporting statements

• U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ): “A year ago, we worked with Republicans and Democrats to negotiate and pass our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law so we can rebuild and upgrade critical infrastructure in communities across Arizona. Thanks to our work, we are proud to announce these grants that will support infrastructure projects in Phoenix, Tucson, Navajo County, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. These projects will create more Arizona jobs while improving the safety and efficiency of Arizonans’ commutes to and from school, work, and doctor’s appointments. I will continue working closely with Arizona leaders to make sure our state takes full advantage of this historic investment in American infrastructure.” – Office of U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), August 18, 2022

Selected clips

• “What Arizona Has Gotten Out Of Biden’s Infrastructure Law (So Far)” – The Copper Courier, March 27, 2023