68th Street Bike Lanes
Project Update
On Tuesday, Scottsdale City Council approved modifying a one-mile stretch of 68th Street from Indian School Road to Thomas Road. 68th Street north and south of that segment is one lane in each direction, and traffic data shows that this segment isn't consistently busy enough to warrant the extra lanes.
This project will narrow the road to match the segments north and south of the project, modify raised medians, right turn lanes and left-turn bays to improve traffic flow and safety. New bike lanes and pedestrian crossings are part of the project as well, making the road friendlier for residents of the neighborhoods on both sides.
Construction will begin during the spring of 2023 and take approximately 5 months to complete.
Project Overview
This project will make a series of improvements to 68th Street between Indian School Road and Thomas Road with the goal of improving safety, connectivity, and the quality of life for residents, students and visitors by completing critical north/south regional bike lanes on this major roadway.
The project will reduce the four-lane roadway to two lanes and add bike lanes, pedestrian improvements, left turn bays and intersection improvements at Osborn Road. The project will add two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crossings, one at Avalon and the other at 2nd Street. The project will keep the on-street parking on 68th Street north of Osborn Road and add turn lanes.
Upon completion, this project will give pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers comfortable space for each transportation mode and will improve local and regional connectivity by linking to the existing bikeway and planned network in the area.
Download proposed improvements exhibits:
Project Background
68th Street has bike lanes through Scottsdale and in Tempe (where it is College Avenue) with the exception of the one-mile segment between Indian School Road and Thomas Road. This gap in bike lane creates a barrier and contributes to an uncomfortable riding experience for many types of bike riders.
The full corridor has high pedestrian and bicycle use, as do the intersecting roads of Indian School, Osborn, and Thomas which all have bike lanes, and the Arizona Canal path at the north end of the project limits.
The gap in bike lanes prevents bicyclists from easily reaching Old Town Scottsdale along an otherwise comfortable, low-stress bike route in Scottsdale and Tempe. Paiute Neighborhood Center and Park on Osborn is a quarter mile from 68th Street. Residents frequently walk and bike to access the services and programs there.
68th Street currently has four travel lanes in this segment of roadway, but lower traffic volumes than nearby Miller Road (on the other side of downtown), which carries higher volumes on only two travel lanes. The existing conditions within this gap keep 68th Street from performing as a complete street.
Frequently Asked Questions
This project will take place on a one-mile segment of 68th Street between Indian School Road and Thomas Road.
The four-lane roadway will be reduced to two lanes and vehicular turn lanes, bike lanes and pedestrian improvements will be added. Vehicular improvements consist of a raised median to accommodate two-way left tun lanes, signal modifications and intersection improvements at Osborn and Thomas roads. Pedestrian improvements include two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crossings and marked crosswalks, one at Avalon one at 2nd Street.
68th Street is currently built with excess vehicle capacity which can lead to speeding and dangerous conditions for all roadway users. The project will reduce this excess capacity while improving safety and movement for vehicles, bike riders, and pedestrians.
Benefits of the 68th Street Bike Lanes project include:
- Matching the number of travel lanes and bike lanes in the corridor to both north and south of the project to create a consistent roadway. 68th Street both north and south of this project is one lane in each direction.
- Reducing the number and width of travel lanes will discourage speeding
- The new right turn lanes and left-turn bays will improve traffic flow and safety.
- Right turn lanes at Osborn Road and Thomas Road
- Left turn bays from Osborn Road to Indian School Road
- Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) and high-visibility marked crosswalks at 2nd Street as well as Avalon Drive
- Completing the final gap in bike lanes for this corridor
- Buffered bike lanes for added comfort for a wide range of bicyclists
- Increased separation between the sidewalk and vehicular travel lane
- Maintaining most of the on-street parking from Osborn Road to Indian School Road
This project is part of the 2020 Scottsdale Transportation Action Plan (TAP) which went through extensive public outreach process and was approved by the Scottsdale City Council. This project is part of the implementation of the TAP.
The plan takes a data-driven approach for improving and maintaining the transportation network, including utilizing traffic volumes and collision data in the decision-making process. The construction contract was approved by the City Council on March 23, 2023.
Yes. 96th Street from Shea to Thunderbird was reduced from 4 to 2 lanes in 2008 and Indian School Road from 60th Street to Goldwater Boulevard was reduced from 6 lanes to 4, in 2020.
The projects reduced travel lanes because of significantly lower traffic volumes than the capacity on the roadway. All maintained traffic volumes below the post-project capacity before and after the projects and provided a quality level of service on the roadways.
This project is being funded through two sources. The total federal funding awarded to the City of Scottsdale for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is $1,485,936. The required 5.7% local contribution of $89,819 will be funded with the Transportation 0.2% Sales Tax. An additional $92,159 from the Transportation Sales Tax included for additional contingency.
Construction is scheduled to begin during the spring of 2023 and will take approximately 5 months to complete.
City of Scottsdale Title VI Abbreviated Statement
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, the City of Scottsdale does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact the City of Scottsdale's Diversity Office at jacjohnson@scottsdaleaz.gov (link sends e-mail). Requests should be made as early as possible to ensure the city has an opportunity to address the accommodation.
De acuerdo con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA por sus siglas en inglés) y otras normas y leyes antidiscriminatorias, la Ciudad de Scottsdale no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad. Las personas que requieran asistencia (dentro de lo razonable) ya sea por el idioma o discapacidad deben ponerse en contacto con la Oficina de Diversidad de la Ciudad de Scottsdale a jacjohnson@scottsdaleaz.gov (link sends e-mail). Las solicitudes deben hacerse lo más antes posible para asegurar que la Ciudad tenga la oportunidad de hacer los arreglos necesarios.
Project Information
Budget: $1.4 million
Sponsoring Division: Transportation
Funding Source: Federal Grant Funding, Transportation Sales Tax
Project Location: 68th Street from Indian School Road to Thomas Road
Contact Information
Transportation & Capital Project Management
P: 480-312-7250