Cochise County Rejects $2.2 Million Federal Money for Local Multi-Use Path

Most mornings, I drive into Sierra Vista before sunrise and always see cyclists, dog walkers, and joggers on the multi-use path along Buffalo Soldier Trail. This path has been a great addition to our city.

Since this wide, paved walkway was built, more people have started exercising and using the path for walking and biking. Even though it’s near a busy road, the path is set back from traffic and has a smooth, flat surface, making it easy to stay active.

Pablo Blazquez Dominguez, Getty Images

Multi-use bike paths help keep pedestrians and cyclists safer. I live in a rural area without sidewalks and with few streetlights, so adding a path to one of the county’s busiest spots seemed like a good idea. But now, it looks like it won’t happen.

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Intergovernmental Agreement for the Multi-Use Path

The planned multi-use path would have been built with federal funds under the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program, which has been allocated to communities nationwide.

One of Sierra Vista's multi-use paths. | Photo by Val Davidson/TSM

IGA26-0011629-I is the agreement between Cochise County and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). This agreement was meant to cover most of the design and construction for extending the Newman Trail and Ramsey Canyon shared-use path system.

The project would have added new county trails and connected them to Sierra Vista’s existing bike and multi-use paths, giving pedestrians and cyclists a safer route.

READ ALSO: Election Integrity Debate In Cochise County Sparks Controversy

Project Funding

Most of the funding was set to come through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). However, after the vote at the August 11th Cochise County Board of Supervisors meeting, it’s unlikely the project will move forward. You can watch the meeting at app.govly.com.

One of Sierra Vista's multi-use paths. | Photo by Val Davidson/TSM

The project was supposed to be funded mostly by federal transportation money managed by ADOT and regional programs. Planning documents showed that the trail’s design and construction would cost about $2.2 million, with Cochise County only needing to provide a small local match.

Board Votes Against the Multi-Use Path

Tom Crosby, the Cochise County Supervisor indicted in 2023 over the county's refusal to certify the 2022 election results, voted against moving the project forward.

Tom Crosby(L) | CochiseCoAZ via YouTube

Supervisor Kathleen Gomez voted yes, but since Supervisor Frank Antenori was absent, the no vote carried. As of now, the agreement will not move forward. You can watch the discussion in the Board of Supervisors meeting video on YouTube.

RELATED: How Poll Workers In Cochise County Help Ensure Election Integrity

One of Sierra Vista's multi-use paths. | Photo by Val Davidson/TSM

Since the project won’t advance under the proposed agreement, the federal transportation funds will leave Cochise County and likely go back to ADOT or the federal program. According to civiciq.com, the money will probably be used for other transportation projects.

See the Cochise County Board of Supervisors Meeting via CochiseCoAZ on YouTube: