Project Background
68th Street had bike lanes through Scottsdale and in Tempe (where it is College Avenue) with the exception of the one-mile segment between Indian School Road and Thomas Road. This gap in bike lane created a barrier and contributed to an uncomfortable riding experience for many types of bike riders.
The full corridor has high pedestrian and bicycle use, as do the intersecting roads of Indian School, Osborn, and Thomas which all have bike lanes, and the Arizona Canal path at the north end of the project limits.
The gap in bike lanes prevented bicyclists from easily reaching Old Town Scottsdale along an otherwise comfortable, low-stress bike route in Scottsdale and Tempe. Paiute Neighborhood Center and Park on Osborn is a quarter mile from 68th Street. Residents frequently walk and bike to access the services and programs there.
68th Street had four travel lanes along this segment of roadway, but lower traffic volumes than nearby Miller Road (on the other side of downtown), which carries higher volumes on only two travel lanes.