Interstate 19
Interstate 19 is an interesting and unique freeway,
despite never leaving the State of Arizona and it's
short (63.35) mile length.
Interstate 19 begins in the border town of Nogales,
just north of the U.S./Mexico border. The road travels
due west, then turns north to follow the Santa Cruz
River all the way to Tucson. Along this historic river
valley, the freeway passes Tumacacori National Monument,
site of a historic Spanish mission, as well as travelling
through Green Valley, Sahuarita, and the San Xavier
Indian Reservation. Interstate 19 then enters the south
side of Tucson, and travels directly north to meet Interstate
10 just south of downtown. Interstate 19 directly replaced
U.S. 89, and retained the milepost numbering of the
U.S. highway. |
| As part of the original design, ADOT
received a waiver from Interstate Highway requirements
to allow Interstate 19 to end in Nogales, rather than
at the border. This was due to the topography of the
Nogales area, and the disruption that the freeway would
cause to the central business district, as discussed
in a 1964 public meeting. The community wanted the freeway
to end where Business Loop 19 branches off (at Kilometer
8), or failing that, to be routed along the course of
present-day Arizona 189 to the Border. The final decision
led to the route taking the path it does today - the
preferred alternative of the engineers.
Ironically, in 2008, talks were held to
discuss rerouting Interstate 19 away from the Central
Business District of Nogales due to the traffic issues
at the border.
Interstate 19 reflects design trends apparent
during the construction period. The freeway was designed
during the Lady Bird Johnson highway beautification
era, and reflects it through the detailed landscaping
and extra-wide median.
Interstate 19 is also unique for being the
longest highway and only Interstate highway signed in
Metric. The signs were placed in May 1979 with the completion
of the freeway under a test program with the Federal
Highway Administration.
In 2004, ADOT announced that the signs were
to be converted to English units, and replaced several
signs around the Interstate 10/19 interchange. However,
in 2008, a new metric sign was placed outside Green
Valley on Southbound Interstate 19.
In 2009, ADOT announced that federal stimulus
money would be used to re-sign the freeway, including
renumbering all exits. Once this work is completed,
AARoads will travel the freeway to replace all photos.
Construction Timeline:
- Km 0 - 4 (Nogales - Mariposa Ave): 1971
- Km 4 - 8 (Mariposa Ave - Business Loop 19): 1968
- Km 8 - 17 (Business Loop 19 - Rio Rico Dr): 1968
- Km 17 - 25 (Rio Rico Dr - Palo Parado Rd): 1966
- Km 25 - 33 (Palo Parado Rd - Tubac): 1978
- Km 33 - 40 (Tubac - Chavez Rd): 1979
- Km 40 - 51 (Chavez Rd - Canoa Ranch): 1977
- Km 51 - 69 (South of Canoa Ranch - Duval Mine Rd):
1976
- Km 69 - 75 (Duval Mine Rd - Sahuarita Rd): 1972
- Km 75 - 80 (Sahuarita Rd - Pima Mine Rd): 1971
- Km 80 - 95 (Pima Mine Rd - Valencia Rd): 1969
- Km 95 - 102 (Valencia Road - Interstate 10): 1965
There is one business loop on Interstate 19, in Nogales
(former US 89). The former Business Loop in Tucson,
travelling down to Sahuarita, was decommissioned in
2004.
There are two guides covering Interstate 19:
| Business Loop I-19, Nogales
|
| Looking north on Business I-19 (Grand Avenue)
at the intersection with Crawford Street. Through
downtown Nogales, Business Loop I-19 follows a couplet
with Arroyo Boulevard (south) and Grand Avenue (north).
Crawford Street connects the southern end of Interstate
19 (which is only a couple blocks north of here)
with the international border crossing (which is
a couple blocks south via southbound Arroyo Boulevard).
The southern end of Interstate 19 is only a few
blocks north of this intersection. Business Loop
I-19 begins at the International Border, and joins
Interstate 19 at Exit 8, about five miles north
of town. Photo taken 05/24/03.
|
| Business Loop I-19 passes through the heart of
Nogales, complete with typical chain stores as well
as local stores. Photo taken 05/24/03.
|
|
| Northbound Business Loop I-19 at Junction Eastbound
Arizona 82 in Nogales. In this semi-interchange,
motorists must make a left from the business loop
onto Arizona 82, then turn around on a 270-degree
arc to cross a bridge over the business loop. Arizona
82 heads northeast to Patagonia and Sonoita, then
joins Arizona 80 near Tombstone. Photo taken 05/24/03.
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Page updated March 15, 2009.
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