Latest Developments of the Bisbee Bikeways Project
NEW! Lavender Pit Shared-Use Path Project Underway
2025 Highlights
Advanced both Lavender Pit Segments
West Segment design moved forward after raising $34,599 through a community fundraiser and the Pedal Power Fest.
East Segment final design completed and prepared for EDA review.
Launched the 27-Mile Network Planning
Began the $641,000 Bisbee Community Connections study to identify alignments and improve Safe Routes to Schools.
Held four public outreach events, gathered 186 comments, and completed school route observations.
Strengthened Regional Leadership
Bisbee became a leading “Trail Town” in the development of the Sun Corridor Trail from Douglas to Las Vegas, increasing statewide visibility and tourism potential.
Recognitions
Executive Director, Meggen Connolley- Awarded the 2024 Distinguished Citizen Planner Award by the Arizona Planning Association and selected as a Top-15 finalist for the national Nextstar Media Remarkable Woman Award.
Community Engagement and Fundraising
Raised an additional $109,000 for the west segment construction match
November open house drew ~60 attendees and strong support for the Lavender Pit path and 27-mile network.
Continued collaboration with City, County, ADOT, EDA, Freeport-McMoRan, and local foundations.
Previous Highlights
March:
Bisbee City Council passes the IGA with ADOT for the east segment of the Lavender Pit path; the contract with Kimley-Horn to start the final design of the east segment; the joint grant project agreement with Bisbee Bikeways.
April:
The Project Director presented at the Arizona Bicycling Summit in Mesa. This was a great opportunity to meet like minded individuals working on innovative projects around the state and country. The Bisbee Bikeways Project received a good bit of attention. To see the Summit, click here.
June:
Bisbee City Council passes the Intergovernmental Agreement with Arizona Department of Transportation which allows the feasibility study for the overall network of pathways from Bisbee to Naco to move forward.
October:
We have raised $34,599 for the cash match of the final design of the west segment of the path.
- The Bisbee City Council unanimously passed the Bisbee Area Mobility Master Plan.
- Updated the Scope of the Lavender Pit project so that it’s split into two projects. One is funded by the EDA, the other is funded by Congressional Directed Spending.
- Notified that we are receiving a grant from ADOT for $641,000 to fund a feasibility study for the network of pathways from Bisbee to Naco.
- We raised $41,335 from a community fundraising campaign. 35 small businesses in Bisbee signed forms stating that this path will create 326 new jobs, save 182 jobs, and create $5,482,000 in private investment from an increase in tourist foot traffic. This could be generated from the implementation of the Lavender Pit pathway in 15 days.
- We were notified that a grant we submitted to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for $4.5 Million is being awarded to the City of Bisbee for the final design and implementation of the Lavender Pit pathway thanks to ARPA funding made available by the Biden Administration. Thank you EDA!
- We are part of a statewide coalition to improve bike and pedestrian access across the state of Arizona especially for rural Arizonans. We signed a letter to Governor Ducey requesting that the state use the funds distributed through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL) to implement “Complete Streets that are safe for all users and achieve safe, connected, and equitable on-and off-road networks”. The letter states that “Arizona ranks as the fourth most dangerous state in the nation for pedestrians… and has consistently ranked as one of the 10 most dangerous states for walking since 1994.” The work we’ve done on this project has served to inform this movement, and has revealed the arduous challenges one must overcome if they want to create a bike/pedestrian pathway on a state highway in a rural area. Geographically, the majority of state land falls into a rural area and it’s estimated that 7,174,064 people live in rural areas (Rural health information hub) likely all moving from one part of their town to another on state highways. To find out more about complete streets click here.
- We were notified that a community project request we submitted to Congresswoman Kirkpatrick for $4 Million is being awarded to the City of Bisbee for the construction of the Lavender Pit path. Thank you Congresswoman Kirkpatrick!
July:
- The Bisbee City Council voted to move forward to get funding for the Lavender Pit shared use path Option B on July 8th at a Special Session meeting. You can see the meeting, the vote, and the presentation on the shared use path that preceded it by Kimley-Horn here.
- The Bisbee Area Mobility Master Plan was passed unanimously by the Bisbee Planning and Zoning Commission and was sent back to the County Planner for revisions after going to Council. The main concern is that the hiking trails in Old Bisbee be removed from the Plan. This is a plan that will connect the entire City of Bisbee through a network of shared use paths and connect this network to the Sun Corridor Trail. See the Plan below.
- The Lavender Pit Feasibility Study Community Presentation can be seen here and an abbreviated version of the study can be seen below. Please make sure to take the survey after you review the study. Or click on the PDF below “Simplified Lavender Pit Study” to see a simplified version that addresses common concerns.