Sundog Connector Information
For questions, please contact:
Matt Bondy, Project Manager
Matt.Bondy@aecom.com or sundog@cympo.org
For language translations or accommodations, call (928) 442-5730
Para traducciones de idioma o apoyos especiales, llame al (928) 442-5730
What is the Sundog Connector?
The Sundog Connector is a proposed east-west corridor that connects the City of Prescott to the Town of Prescott Valley. This proposed corridor would provide additional east-west connectivity as the region continues to grow, provide access and circulation for approved development, facilitate emergency response, and provide additional access for existing homes north of SR 69.
The Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization (CYMPO) is preparing a design concept report (DCR) and environmental overview (EO) to review the project’s purpose and need, develop potential corridor alignments and design elements, and incorporate public feedback. A DCR/EO is a planning step in the project development process.
Design Concept Report (DCR) and Environmental Overview (EO) Project News
This page will be updated with information regarding the Sundog Connector Corridor. Any new studies, news, meeting plans, or other information will be posted here.
Page Updated August 9, 2023 (Newsletter Issue #5)
What is the Project Team working on Now?
Existing & Future Conditions Analysis:
- Data for Traffic, population, and employment
- Pavement and Geotechnical Needs
- Drainage and wash crossings
- Research Right-of-Way
- Summarize known environmental issues and potential risks
- Evaluate environmental components such as biological and natural resources, cultural resources, wildlife/ecosystem impacts
Identify Purpose and Need:
- Solicit Public Input to help inform:
- Recommended Intersection Locations
- Multimodal considerations (bike, pedestrian, equestrian, public transit, etc.)
- Roadway features and accessibility
- Evaluation and Identification of a preferred Build Alternative
Project Updates August, 2023
Project team temporarily paused advancement of technical work during December – March to identify greater detail regarding development agreement progress.
- Sundog Connector No-Build Alternative was defined to represent current conditions with no related roadway additions or improvements.
- 7 potential Build Alternatives were developed for preliminary alternative analysis.
- Stakeholder Committee Meeting #2 held on May 24th.
- Alternative analysis is currently being conducted.
On-going Public Engagement Activities
As part of the Sundog Connector Design Concept Report / Environmental Overview, CYMPO staff has continued to engage with the public at various outreach events, including Project Stakeholder Committee Meetings, Project Open House #1, local radio programming, Republican Women of Prescott luncheons, League of Women Voters, Sunup Rotary Club, and Prescott Chamber of Commerce CEO Roundtable.
Stakeholder Committee & Public Survey Activity TAKE THE SURVEY
The Sundog Connector DCR/EO technical team is currently conducting an alternatives analysis on proposed build alternatives assessed against the no-build alternative. As part of this assessment the Sundog Connector DCR/EO technical team would like to seek input, through this survey, from the project stakeholder committee members and public on feedback related to specific features associated with a potential build alternative.
FILL OUT THE SURVEY: https://forms.office.com/r/TAhuf65u2U
SUNDOG CONNECTOR CORRIDOR STUDY
In 2013, the City of Prescott and ADOT conducted the Sundog Connector Corridor Study (26MB, 216 page PDF). This project follows up that study by preparing a conceptual design for further consideration.
On May 10th our project’s Technical Advisory Team and chosen consultant, AECOM, met to kickoff this project and identify critical community stakeholders.
Stakeholders identified for this project include representatives from HOAs, local planning agencies, community and affinity interest groups, emergency response, and area businesses.
Important Documents
Stakeholder Meeting Minutes – May 24, 2023
Stakeholder Meeting – June 3rd, 2022
Sundog Connector Kick-Off Meeting – May 10, 2022
Glassford Hill Open Space Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) – May, 2022
PRESS RELEASES REGARDING CANCELLED SUNDOG SESSION
- May 12, 2023 from the City of Prescott : Retraction for Clarification – Cancelled Council Study Session & Sundog Connector Update
- May 18, 2023 from CYMPO – CYMPO Releases Statement Regarding City of Prescott Press Releases related to Sundog Connector Project
Project Newsletters
Newsletter #5 – August, 2023
Newsletter #4 – November, 2022
Newsletter #3 – August, 2022
Newsletter #2 – June, 2022
Newsletter #1 – May, 2022
Sundog / EMAC Meeting August 8, 2023
Please click here to download a PDF copy of the Powerpoint slides used in the recent EMAC meeting held on August 8, 2023. Slides feature a few additional details on items discussed in this study.
Watch the recorded video of the meeting here (YouTube).
Why We Engage Stakeholders in Our Planning Process
Provide Expertise
Stakeholders are a wealth of knowledge about current processes, historical information, and industry insight.
Reduce and Uncover Risks and Challenges
Identifying obstacles and developing a mitigation plan will dramatically increase the success of our project. Involving knowledgeable stakeholders during this process will help.
Increase Project Success
Getting buy-in by engaging stakeholders early and often, we have a better chance of meeting needs and expectations of the design concept.
Fast Facts
Two Ends Constructed:
- Year 2000 – at E SR 69 near Home Depot
- Year 2010 – at Prescott Lakes Parkway
Study Area: 3.5 total miles
Q: What is a Design Concept Report?
A: A DCR records the design concepts for major aspects of the project that might be worth developing as detailed designs. This DCR will take place over the next 18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions and Commonly Heard Concerns
Is The Sundog Connector Going to be built as soon as the DCR is complete?
No commitment to construct the Sundog Connector has been made beyond this DCR project. No funds have been identified for construction.
What will the speed be and what will the road look like?
The 18-month design concept report will help determine the characteristics of the road including capacity, speed, and roadway features.
So why is CYMPO conducting a DCR now?
This project is identified as a priority project in our Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and is based on the 2013 Sundog Connector Corridor Study conducted by the City of Prescott. During our 2021 strategic planning retreat with our Executive Board (made up of elected officials from the Quad-Cities and County) and Technical Advisory Committee, this project was chosen as a priority to study further. To help the decision makers evaluate next steps in our region, this DCR is running in tandem with the SR69 Master Corridor Plan scheduled to kick-off this fall.
How can I make sure my questions and concerns are addressed? Does my input even matter?
All meetings are open public meetings and project information and updates can be found on this page. You can also participate in the two Public Outreach meetings scheduled during the 18-month project. Your input is extremely valuable in helping us understand community need, concerns, questions, and ideas and in developing the concept of the design.
Project Timeline
The following is a tentative timeline for the Sundog Corridor. Any updates to this timeline will be posted here. UPDATED June 27, 2023.
CYMPO Project Manager: Transportation Planner
sundog@cympo.org
AECOM (Consulting Partner) Project Manager: Matt Bondy
Matt.Bondy@aecom.com
Public Comment
Sundog Connector DCR & EO List of Stakeholders
- Prescott Police
- ADOT Local District Engineer’s Office
- Yavapai Hills, Stone Ridge, Prescott Lakes HOA Reps
- Prescott Pedestrian/Bike Technical Advisory Committee
- Yavapai Trails Association
- Commercial business owners near Sundog Terminus points
- Gisi Development
- Town/City Council Members
- CAFMA fire and medical response – Prescott Valley
- Community Development/Planning staff/Parks and Rec. Staff/Administrators from Prescott and Prescott Valley
- Chambers of Commerce in Prescott and Prescott Valley
- Sierra Club
- Prescott Valley Citizens Alliance
- Citizens Water Advocacy Group
- Fire Chief Holger Durre – City of Prescott
- Save the Dells
- ADOT Utility Coordinators
- Arizona State Land
- APS
- Prescott Saddle Club
- Granite Dells Preservation Foundation
- Prescott Audubon Society
- Sundog TAC (STAC) – consisting of our TAC plus planning, public works, and other area staff
- Sundog Disconnect Group
- Storm Ranch Development