I-11 - What Would be Lost - Landscapes

If the proposed route for Interstate 11 is approved it would clear a 400 foot wide swath down the middle of one of America's great landscapes, close between two national parks, through designated wildlife corridors, and across hundreds of acres of wild desert.

I-11 - Silverbell, Ragged Top, and Sunbeams
This valley, just east of Silverbell and Ragged Top peaks (left and right in the picture), is a portion of the proposed route for Interstate 11 . From this vantage point you would be able to see parts of the road. You'd also hear it. And the exhaust pipe gases from hundreds of hardworking vehicles, speeding north and south, would drift slowly east toward Tucson; through neighborhoods, schoolyards, and into the clean air of one of our great National treasures, Saguaro National Park. The toxic gas molecules might not do immediate harm. But we know they do over time, to both plants and people. Why take the chance, when cheaper and less harmful alternate routes exist.
I-11 - Path Panorama #1
Much of the desert and some of the homes in this scene, east of Sandario and south of Mile Wide Roads, will be bulldozed away if the Arizona Department of Transportation builds Interstate 11 along it's preferred route.

I-11 - Cholla Skeleton and Saguaro
In the 2000' wide corridor somewhere within which the 400 foot wide roadway for Interstate 11 will be carved.
I-11 - Mid-morning Stillness #1
Another morning of stillness on the virgin desert south of Sinagua Road, at least until the wind comes up. Some day this may change. Imagine a four lane superhighway passing through this spot or at best just a stone's throw away. It could happen if Interstate 11 is built along it's proposed route west of the Tucson mountains close between 2 national parks, across designated wildlife corridors, and across what is now property owned by scores, perhaps hundreds of citizens.
I-11 - Mid-morning Stillness #2
Another morning of stillness, just as it's been almost every day for millennia. Now imagine a four lane superhighway passing through this spot or next to it. That could happen if Interstate 11 is built along the proposed route west of the Tucson Mountains close between 2 national parks, across designated wildlife corridors, and over what is now property owned by scores of citizens.
I-11 - Saguaro Framed by Cirrus
Imagine a backhoe knocking over this saguaro because it's too big to transplant. That could happen. This and other giants lie in the 2000' wide corridor somewhere within which the 400 foot wide roadway for Interstate 11 might be carved.

I-11 - South of Sinagua Road #1
All the plants in this scene, south of Sinagua Road and west of the Tucson Mountains, could be bulldozed away if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed route.
I-11 - South of Sinagua Road #2
All the plants in this scene, south of Sinagua Road and west of the Tucson Mountains, could be bulldozed away if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed route.

I-11 - South of Sinagua Road #3
The morning after a winter rain south of Sinagua Road in the Arizona Department of Transportation's preferred corridor for Interstate 11 . . . meaning it or an adjacent patch of wild desert will be scraped away as part of the 400 foot wide freeway impact.
I-11 - Unusual Saguaro South of Sinagua Road #1
Note cactus wren on tip of one arm.
I-11 - Unusual Saguaro South of Sinagua Road #2
I-11 - Unusual Saguaro South of Sinagua Road #3
It's a thrill most Tusconans see sooner or later- a big saguaro cactus padded, strapped down, and tilted on the back of a truck. It's even cooler when the giant has arms. Such moves may be successful. But it's hard to imagine an unusual guy like this, near Sinagua Rd. west of the Tucson Mts, surviving intact. I doubt if even one of its 9 arms would stay attached. I may be wrong. But if I'm right, I'd like to think this survivor would enjoy every chance to live right here, just as it has for a century or more. Unfortunately, it stands on the proposed corridor for Interstate 11.