I-11 - Households, Houses, and Roads
Have you ever built a house? It can be difficult. But, if you build it the way you want it, and love being there more than any place else on earth, the thought of it's destruction can be too much to bear. So please understand what Helen and Eric Mellen are going through now. They did most of the labor to construct their dream home by themselves during the 1990's as funds became available. Now an interstate highway may replace it, or at least cut through the peaceful desert and designated wildlife corridor near their porch.
I-11 - The McGuinness Extended Family At Their Sunday Gathering
Here stands four generations of the McGuinness clan on land that has been the family focal point for over 40 years. Some live here in three lovely homes representing countless hours of time and energy. It's where the extended family gathers every Sunday to share food and learn what's new in each others lives. But these precious acres are in danger of being paved over by a four lane highway.
Sometimes it's hard to find a safe place to play in the desert where there are lots of things that can hurt you. Barbara McGuinness and her late husband Charles knew this in 1977 when they bought property for their home near Sandario and Mile Wide Roads after Charles retired from the Marine Corps. They were careful to create a safe space to enjoy the clear desert air and beautiful scenery with their children. Now Teckla and Tyler, two of their 23 great grandchildren, enjoy what Barbara and Charles created at one of the family parties held here every Sunday when up to 30 people from four generations gather. But this precious oasis, that has been the family focal point for over four decades, with it's large fish pond, 3 comfortable homes, and rattlesnake-proof patios, lies smack in the middle of the proposed route to be bulldozed for Interstate 11.
Jackie and Corey Smith are proud of the big saguaros and other native plants on their property near Sandario Road west of the Tucson Mountains. And they love the natural beauty of the surrounding desert. They bought the property because they wanted a peaceful life in a rural setting far away from noisy traffic. But their quiet neighborhood may soon change if interstate 11 is built along the Arizona Department of Transportation's preferred route. The four lane highway would run just beyond their backyard fence, unless ADOT's second choice is selected. Then they would loose their home entirely.
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.
Scores of well-kept houses will be taken down if Interstate 11 is built west of the Tucson Mountains. Some funky structures will too such as this neglected little strawbale shack. Perhaps it was the small beginning of someone's dream for a home in the desert, a dream they may still have.
Scores of well-kept houses will be taken down if Interstate 11 is built west of the Tucson Mountains. Some funky structures will too such as this neglected little strawbale shack. Perhaps it was the small beginning of someone's dream for a home in the desert, a dream they may still have.
Scores of well-kept houses will be taken down if Interstate 11 is built west of the Tucson Mountains. Some funky structures will too such as this neglected little strawbale shack. Perhaps it was the small beginning of someone's dream for a home in the desert, a dream they may still have.
Some of these homes will be destroyed if interstate 11 is built along its proposed route west of the Tucson Mountains. And much of the wild desert near the others will be replaced by a noisy, four-lane highway.
A hope and a dream. That's what Emmitt and Leila Williams have. A dream of living in their new house now being built west of the Tucson Mountains. And the hope that Interstate 11 won't happen, at least not along the route proposed by the AZ Dept of Transportation. If it is, their home could be destroyed. Or at best a four lane superhighway would dominate their wild desert view, and cross one of Pima County's designated wildlife corridors.
A hope and a dream. That's what Emmitt and Leila Williams have. A dream of living in their new house now being built west of the Tucson Mountains. And the hope that Interstate 11 won't happen, at least not along the route proposed by the AZ Dept of Transportation. If it is, their home could be destroyed. Or at best a four lane superhighway would dominate their wild desert view, and cross one of Pima County's designated wildlife corridors.
A hope and a dream. That's what Emmitt and Leila Williams have. A dream of living in their new house now being built west of the Tucson Mountains. And the hope that Interstate 11 won't happen, at least not along the route proposed by the AZ Dept of Transportation. If it is, their home could be destroyed. Or at best a four lane superhighway would dominate their wild desert view, and cross one of Pima County's designated wildlife corridors.
A hope and a dream. That's what Emmitt and Leila Williams have. A dream of living in their new house now being built west of the Tucson Mountains. And the hope that Interstate 11 won't happen, at least not along the route proposed by the AZ Dept of Transportation. If it is, their home could be destroyed. Or at best a four lane superhighway would dominate their wild desert view, and cross one of Pima County's designated wildlife corridors.
North San Joaquin Road west of the Tucson Mountains is a simple route through the desert. Most of it runs down the middle of the proposed route for interstate 11.
I-11 - Sinagua Road Looking East #2 - Hazy Sky
With the Tucson Mountains to the east, and wild saguaro cactus desert to the left and right, Sinagua Road is scenic and peaceful. It's also part of a designated wildlife corridor. But if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed path a 400 foot wide swath will be bulldozed across it.
I-11 - Sinagua Road Looking East #1 - Hazy Sky
With the Tucson Mountains to the east, and wild saguaro cactus desert to the left and right, Sinagua Road is scenic and peaceful. It's also part of a designated wildlife corridor. But if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed path a 400 foot wide swath will be bulldozed across it.
I-11 - Sinagua Road Looking East #1 Sunrise
With the Tucson Mountains to the east, and wild saguaro cactus desert to the left and right, Sinagua Road is scenic and peaceful. It's also part of a designated wildlife corridor. But if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed path a 400 foot wide swath will be bulldozed across it.
I-11 - Road Looking East #2 Sunrise
With the Tucson Mountains to the east, and wild saguaro cactus desert to the left and right, Sinagua Road is scenic and peaceful. It's also part of a designated wildlife corridor. But if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed path a 400 foot wide swath will be bulldozed across it.
I-11 - Sinagua Road Looking West #1 Sunset
Sinagua Road is scenic and peaceful. It's also part of a designated wildlife corridor. But if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed path a 400 foot wide swath will be bulldozed across it.
I-11 - Sinagua Road Looking West #2 Sunset
Sinagua Road is scenic and peaceful. It's also part of a designated wildlife corridor. But if Interstate 11 is built along ADOT's proposed path a 400 foot wide swath will be bulldozed across it.
I-11 - Sinagua Road 4-11-20 #1 Sunset
Do you think a four-lane superhighway built across this rural desert road would spoil the view? A view dominated by a designated wildlife corridor and private land owned by citizens who thought their homes would always be safe from development.
I-11 - Sinagua Road 4-11-20 #2 Sunset
Do you think a four-lane superhighway built across this rural desert road would spoil the view? A view dominated by a designated wildlife corridor and private land owned by citizens who thought their homes would always be safe from development.
