Pantano River Park

Pantano River Park, east bank, Broadway Blvd. to Fifth St. alignment.  Construction completed 2004.

Client Program / Project Description.  This project coordinates City of Tucson (COT) and Pima County requirements along a one-half mile stretch of stabilized embankment that connects a major arterial roadway, shopping areas and neighborhoods.  This design provided separate bicycle and pedestrian paths consistent with the Pima County Divided Urban Pathway model, access to a large shopping center, dedicated parking access, and passively harvested storm water to supplement irrigation.

It was agreed among City staff, County staff (responsible for most regional river park development) and the design team that access and connections would not exceed 5% slopes and that the design would facilitate a future link beneath Broadway Blvd.

WSA Scope and Role.  More than 10 feet of cross slope and 12 feet of longitudinal slope posed a primary design challenge to creating an appealing and easily negotiated, accessible route.  Long runs of path that accommodate grade changes are lined with trees where cross-slopes permit.  Trail signs, seat walls and the staging area were developed in serpentine forms to reference the fluid motions of water in the Wash.

Project Team.

• Client: City of Tucson, Department of Transportation; coordinated also with Pima County NRPR regarding cross-section and links to future river park sections
• Design Team:
  • WSA, path layout and grading, node and staging area design, planting and irrigation design, CA services
  • AMEC, path construction documents
  • R.A. Alcalá, Inc., lighting
• Construction contractor and delivery method (DBB, DB, CMR, JOC)