capacity, these facilities may induce and encourage growth as rural areas become more
accessible.
Two issues relating to Roadway Capacity have been
identified as part of this JLUS.
RC-1 Access to Florence Military Reservation from State Route 79 is
not separated from travel lanes.
RC-2 Traffic congestion occurs during drill weekends.
Issue:
RC‐1
AZARNG Site:
Florence
Military
Reservation
Access to Florence Military Reservation from
State Route 79 is not separated from travel
lanes.
State Route 79 is the main thoroughfare between
the Town of Florence and US 60 and has a speed
limit of 65 miles per hour. The lack of turn lanes
for accessing Florence Military Reservation from
State Route 79 results in potential conflicts and
safety concerns between military vehicles
entering or leaving the installation and civilian
traffic using State Route 79. Additionally, there
are no signs to alert civilian drivers that military
traffic may be entering or exiting the highway.
Compatibility Assessment
The closest major roads to FMR are Highway 287 which runs west of the installation from
the Town of Florence towards the City of Coolidge and Highway 79 which runs north /
south between Florence and US 60 and bisects FMR. State Highway 79 serves as the
primary access road to FMR. Highway 79 is a high‐speed road with a speed limit of
65 miles per hour (mph) and is only two lanes, one in each direction. There are very
short turn lanes at specific locations, including a right‐hand turn lane for northbound
traffic and a left‐hand turn land for southbound traffic at southern the entrance to FMR
where the Readiness Centers are located. Across the road from the FMR entrance is the
entrance to several mobile home and recreational vehicle communities that include
Florence Gardens, Caliente, Caliente Casa de Sol, and Tierra Del Sol. Along the west side
of Highway 79 near the FMR entrance, there are other facilities including the Homeland
Security Florence Detention Center and additional residential with entrances onto
Highway 79.
5-122
Compatibility Assessment