68th Street Bike Lanes

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 most of 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:

• Indian School Road to Osborn Road
• Osborn Road to Thomas Road
• Thomas Road Intersection

Construction is expected to take place during the winter of 2023.

Open House

4:30 - 6 p.m., Monday December 5, 2022

Come View Plans for Changes to 68th Street between Indian School Rd. and Thomas Rd. Stop by anytime between 4:30 – 6 p.m. to view plans and have your questions answered.   

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.