Despite Budget Cuts, Renzi Secures Funding for Tonto Bridge

(Washington) - Federal funding to build a bridge over Tonto Creek has been secured by Congressman Rick Renzi with the designation of $3 million included in H.R. 3, The Transportation Equity Act of 2005. Money for this critical transportation project was approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 416-9. "The construction of a secure bridge over Tonto Creek is critical to the safety of local residents in Gila County, and we have fought through Budget cuts to secure a $3 million appropriation to fund future construction efforts," Renzi said. "The Tonto Bridge project will continue to remain one of my top funding priorities in Congress, despite efforts to cut spending. Simply, we cannot afford to risk the lives of residents who rely on a safe and secure crossing at Tonto Creek." Last year, Congressman Renzi obtained $150,000 in federal appropriations to direct the Army Corps of Engineers to complete an environmental assessment for a bridge at Tonto Creek. In this assessment, released in September of 2004, the Corps concluded that future funding will be necessary to complete a bridge and have identified several viable crossing areas. "Having made numerous visits to the area to evaluate potential bridge locations, I look forward to future meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers and local residents to discuss bridge construction plans," Renzi concluded. "The $3 million funding secured [this month] is just the beginning of a future federal commitment to fully fund this important community project." A summary of the "Tonto Creek Special Study" which was completed in September 2004, included the following information: A reconnaissance level investigation was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to a request from Congressman Rick Renzi. An environmental evaluation of the lower 14-mile reach of Tonto Creek was prepared in order to provide and assess alternative locations along Tonto Creek for a bridge. According to the summary, "The primary Congressional concerns that prompt this study are the public health and safety concerns in the absence of a safe high-water crossing in this lower reach of Tonto Creek. The lower reach of Tonto Creek has a drainage area of 236.6 square miles and a main channel length of approximately 14 to 16 miles dependent on the lake level. The historic floodplain of Tonto Creek, in this area, varies from approximately 2,000 feet to 3,500 feet in width. During low flows Tonto Creek is braided with the main surface flow meandering between three to four low flow channels and generally confined within two or three of these. During high flows the creek stretches across the floodplain making passage across Tonto Creek impossible or, at the least extremely dangerous for all vehicular traffic. Low-lying areas along Tonto Creek are subject to some level of inundation and the potential to experience flash floods. Spring flooding occurs annually between March and April, with Tonto Creek being impassable for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. Local residents recall up to 6-weeks of high water, prohibiting any crossing of Tonto Creek. Monsoon season brings flash flooding in the summer months and early fall, which result in extended closures. In the recent past, two residents have lost their lives attempting to cross Tonto Creek during periods of higher flow. The largest flow event experienced during the nearly sixty-years the lower reach has been monitored occurred in 1993 requiring over $200,000.00 in Gila County Emergency Response and Flood related expenditures. "According to Gila County, this is one of the fastest growing areas in the County outside of the communities of Payson and Globe/Miami. Observation during site visits confirmed development is increasing throughout Punkin Center and Tonto Basin. The potential for increased property values and additional as well as increases development on the east side of Tonto Creek is high. At the present more than 50% of the remaining undeveloped private property available for development is on the east side of Tonto Creek in the area of Roosevelt Gardens East and North Bay Estates subdivisions. Current access to these subdivisions is provided by the Bar-X and A-Cross low-water fords. In general the complexity of issues and number of concerns with respect to channel characteristics and special status species increase in all areas downstream of the Punkin Center low-water ford." Editor's Note: More information with regard to this study will be printed in an upcoming issue of this publication.