River Cities Business Journal: Construction

BULLHEAD CITY - Tempers flared between Vanderslice Road area residents and some Mohave County Transportation Commission members as commissioners held a meeting at Bullhead City Hall on May 22.

The commission holds most of its meetings in Kingman, but visits Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City each once a year when there are topics of local interest on the agenda.

The Vanderslice Road project is one such topic of interest to residents of Mohave Valley, Fort Mojave and Bullhead City, as Mohave County proposes to build an alternate route to Highway 95 using the Vanderslice alignment.

The 14-mile road would connect Courtwright Road to the Bullhead Parkway. The plan has drawn fire from many residents living along or near Vanderslice.

County Public Works Director Mike Hendrix laid out the county's case Tuesday, saying Highway 95 carries more than 35,000 vehicles daily and has an “F” level of service, according to a 2004 ADOT study.

ADOT's proposed Highway 95 bypass is 15 years or more away, Hendrix said, “and right now there's sections of 95 that's not functioning and the way that valley's growing, pretty soon it's going to be gridlock and people are going to be standing around going ‘why didn't the county do something?'” he said. “So it's necessary and I think it's far-sighted.”

Hendrix said there might be a disagreement on the location of the roadway “but I think everyone's in agreement that we need an alternate route and we need it now.”

Several people spoke against the project; one Vanderslice Road resident, Bob Proctor, favored it.

Main concerns of those opposed are traffic - especially truck traffic - and the road coming within a few feet of their houses. Several speakers asked county officials to consider alternatives to Vanderslice, including Mountain View and Ashley roads.

Sunrise Vistas resident Mike Asquith formed a coalition to oppose the plan and said he has gathered almost 600 signatures. He urged officials to “re-think where you are” in the process.

The county is preparing to commission a concept design report and alignment study, at a cost of $300,000. Hendrix said he will ask that all possibilities be looked at by the consultant, including a 4-lane divided and access-controlled highway. Hendrix has said in the past that the road's alignment may be moved away from residential neighborhoods.

Asquith thinks the $300,000 is a waste of money. He is convinced he's fighting a good ‘ol boy network. “That's the way we do business around here and that's the way it is. That's the way they look at things. We'll just do it. This isn't for the good of the people.”

Hendrix said there have been long range plans for Vanderslice Road “as long as I can remember,” during the 22 years he's been with the county.

Chairman Jim Roberts said when the commission was in Bullhead City last year, those in attendance wanted the Vanderslice project to proceed. He agreed to hold another meeting in Bullhead City to discuss the project before the end of the year at a date to be announced.