The Downtown Links Improvement Project is entering its final stages, with significant progress visible throughout the site. Construction crews have been concentrating efforts on the west end of the Sixth Street underpass, where work includes reinforcing the retaining wall and pouring the remaining concrete footings. The multi-use path has now been fully paved and provides a direct connection to the Stone Avenue bicycle and pedestrian bridge, enhancing mobility and access for all users. New light poles have also been installed along the path to improve safety and visibility.

Work continues around the deck plaza area, where crews are installing landscaping features and irrigation lines that will help activate the space and create a welcoming environment for the community once the project is complete.

Project Background

The Downtown Links Improvement Project began construction in August 2020 and represents a major infrastructure investment in the downtown area. This phase of the project connects Barraza Aviation Parkway to St. Mary’s Road and has been delivered in two segments. The eastern segment, extending from Barraza Aviation Parkway at Broadway to Sixth Street, was completed in February 2023.

Beyond surface roadway improvements, the project includes several key infrastructure elements designed to enhance safety, connectivity, and flood protection. These improvements include an underground box culvert to help alleviate downtown flooding, a new overpass at Sixth Avenue, and an underpass at Sixth Street that removes the at-grade railroad crossing. Additional features include a new roadway, a deck plaza, and expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities that support multimodal transportation and downtown revitalization.

What’s Ahead

Construction will continue on the west end of the project, with crews completing retaining wall reinforcement and building the new intersection at Church Avenue and Sixth Street. Paving of the new Sixth Street roadway is also upcoming. The Downtown Links Improvement Project is anticipated to be completed in the coming months, with a ribbon-cutting celebration planned for the spring to mark this significant milestone for the community.

Watch Project Drone Video

Currently, work is taking place on the underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), which is the most complex segment of the project.

This segment has required the City of Tucson to work closely with UPRR and a fiber optic utility company to ensure success of the project for all stakeholders. The coordination between UPRR and the utility company within their right-of-way has contributed to the delays in the project.

The project is anticipated to be complete by the first quarter of 2026.

On Monday, February 27, beginning at 7 a.m. crews are scheduled to convert the traffic signal heads at the intersection of Broadway and Aviation Parkway/Maclovio Barraza Parkway to include flashing yellow arrows.

During the work, the traffic signals will not be in operation. In addition, lane restrictions will be in place at the intersection for all travel directions. This work is scheduled to be complete by 5 p.m. the same day.

Law enforcement officers will be on site to direct travel through the intersection until the work is complete. The traveling public can expect delays when driving in the work area. Please obey all traffic control signs and watch for law enforcement officers and construction personnel in the area.

This schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.

The Regional Transportation Authority, a political subdivision of the state and independently governed, has invested more than $1.4 billion in transportation projects and services to improve mobility, safety, economic vitality and quality of life in the region. The RTA collects a half-cent excise (sales) tax from its special taxing district within Pima County to fund its 20-year regional transportation plan. The plan and tax were approved by voters in May 2006. The Downtown Links Improvement Project is part of the RTA plan and is managed by the City of Tucson. For more information, visit www.RTAmobility.com 

INTERSECCIÓN BROADWAY Y AVIATION PARKWAY/MACLOVIO BARRAZA PARKWAY OBRA DE SEÑALES DE TRÁFICO

El lunes 27 de febrero de 2023, a partir de las 7 a.m., los equipos están programados para convertir las cabezas de los semáforos en la intersección de Broadway y Aviation Parkway/Maclovio Barraza Parkway para incluir flechas amarillas intermitentes.

Durante la obra, los semáforos no estarán en funcionamiento. Además, habrá restricciones de carril en la intersección para todas las direcciones de viaje. Este trabajo está programado para completarse a las 5 p.m. el mismo día.

Oficiales de la ley estarán en el lugar para dirigir el tráfico a través de la intersección hasta que se complete el trabajo. El público que viaja puede esperar retrasos al conducir en el área de trabajo. Obedezca todas las señales de control de tráfico y esté atento a los oficiales de la ley y al personal de construcción en el área.

El programa está sujeto a cambios debidos a las inclemencias del tiempo o a circunstancias imprevistas.

La Autoridad Regional de Transporte (RTA), una subdivisión política del estado y gobernada de forma independiente, ha invertido más de $1.4 mil millones de dólares en proyectos y servicios de transporte para mejorar la movilidad, la seguridad, la vitalidad económica y la calidad de vida en la región. La RTA recolecta un impuesto de medio centavo de su distrito fiscal especial dentro del Condado de Pima para financiar su plan de transporte regional de 20 años. El plan y el impuesto fueron aprobados por los votantes en mayo de 2006. El proyecto de Downtown Links es parte del plan de la RTA y es administrado por la Ciudad de Tucson. Para obtener más información, visite www.RTAmobility.com.

Beginning Tuesday, January 17, 2023, around 7 p.m., Stone Avenue south of Sixth Street to Franklin Street/Toole Avenue, including the Stone Avenue underpass, is scheduled to close to all northbound and southbound travel. This closure will be in place while the contractor conducts a deck pour on the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Stone Avenue.

Stone Avenue is scheduled to reopen by 7 a.m. on Thursday, January 19.

Sixth Street remains closed to through travel just west of Stone Avenue, while crews continue work at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to construct a new underpass. Motorists traveling eastbound on Sixth Street west of Stone Avenue will continue to use the Church Avenue detour to bypass this closure.

The Regional Transportation Authority, a political subdivision of the state and independently governed, has invested more than $1.4 billion in transportation projects and services to improve mobility, safety, economic vitality and quality of life in the region. The RTA collects a half-cent excise (sales) tax from its special taxing district within Pima County to fund its 20-year regional transportation plan. The plan and tax were approved by voters in May 2006. The Downtown Links Improvement Project is part of the RTA plan and is managed by the City of Tucson. For more information, visit www.RTAmobility.com 

Cierra de Stone Avenue Sixth Street a Franklin Street/Toole Avenue

A partir del martes 17 de enero de 2023, alrededor de las 7 p. m., Stone Avenue al sur de Sixth Street hasta Franklin Street/Toole Avenue, incluido el paso subterráneo de Stone Avenue, está programado para cerrar al tráfico hacia el norte y hacia el sur. Este cierre permanecerá mientras el contratista realiza el colado de concreto en el nuevo puente para bicicletas y peatones sobre Stone Avenue.

Stone Avenue está programada para reabrir a las 7 a.m. del jueves 19 de enero.

Sixth Street permanece cerrada al tráfico justo al oeste de Stone Avenue, mientras que las cuadrillas continúan trabajando en las vías del Ferrocarril Union Pacific para construir un nuevo paso subterráneo. Los automovilistas que viajen hacia el este por Sixth Street al oeste de Stone Avenue continuarán usando el desvío de Church Avenue para evitar este cierre.

La Autoridad de Transporte Regional, una subdivisión política del estado y gobernada de manera independiente, ha invertido más de $1,400 millones en proyectos y servicios de transporte para mejorar la movilidad, la seguridad, la vitalidad económica y la calidad de vida en la región. La RTA recauda un impuesto especial (sobre las ventas) de medio centavo de su distrito fiscal especial dentro del condado de Pima para financiar su plan de transporte regional de 20 años. El plan y el impuesto fueron aprobados por los votantes en mayo de 2006. El Proyecto de Mejoramiento de Downtown Links es parte del plan RTA y es administrado por la Ciudad de Tucson. Para obtener más información, visite www.RTAmobility.com