Transformative. That is the one word that sums up the award-winning city of Phoenix Grand Canalscape project, a 12-mile multiuse trail stretching from the I-17 to the Tempe border. Previously the dirt path sat mostly unused for anything other than canal maintenance work. Today, the Grand Canalscape is an attractive, lighted and landscaped route for bicycle and pedestrian use.
“This ambitious city project is complete now,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. “People are surprised when I tell them that Phoenix has more canal miles than Venice or Amsterdam. Today we are integrating the canals into our communities to improve neighborhood access, add new public art spaces and contribute to a healthier Phoenix by introducing them as a recreational amenity.”
The Grand Canal arcs across Phoenix, providing an efficient route for bicycle and pedestrian commuters and provides important connections to bus and light rail lines, as well as the region’s growing pedestrian and bicycle network.
The Grand Canalscape, which will be the focus of a public grand celebration on Saturday, February 15, is fully ADA accessible and features new pedestrian bridges, new traffic signals to allow safe road crossings, artist-designed shade structures and seating areas. Along the path, there are 17 connections to neighborhoods for easy access on and off the canal.
“We are working hard to make the city safer for pedestrians and bicyclists in Phoenix, and we have installed High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signals and Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) where the Grand Canalscape crosses our streets,” Councilwoman Thelda Williams said. She chairs the city’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee. These crossing signals are activated only when a pedestrian or bicyclist needs to cross a road and stay dark unless activated.
“This project is a great example of the longstanding partnership between the City of Phoenix and Salt River Project (SRP),” said Kini Knudson, Street Transportation Director for the City of Phoenix, which managed the construction project. “SRP has been a superb partner every step of the way, sharing the city’s goal to improve connectivity by introducing this amazing new recreational asset to our residents and visitors.” SRP manages the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation canal system in the Valley.
“The completion of both phases of the Grand Canalscape project – the single-largest multiuse segment on SRP’s canal system – enhances connectivity to the Valley’s canal bank recreation system,” said Jim Duncan, manager of SRP’s Field Consulting Services. “Now, Valley residents will have the ability to walk, run or bike from the I-17 freeway in Phoenix to Tempe Town Lake and connect to other trails along the way.”
The Grand Canal was developed in the 1870s to bring water from the Salt and Verde rivers to the arid Salt River Valley region. It is the oldest remaining pioneer canal on the north side of the Salt River.
“The Grand Canalscape was a great way to leverage a federal TIGER grant to improve this important piece of Phoenix history and enhance safety by constructing a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle path,” said Karla Petty, Federal Highway Administration Arizona Division Administrator within the U.S. Department of Transportation (FHWA USDOT). “We applaud the City of Phoenix for using innovations and safety technologies promoted by FHWA like the advanced pedestrian crossing signals.”
TIGER stands for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery and the USDOT awarded $10.3 million for the project. Grand Canalscape was built in two phases that were completed in November and January. The first phase of the project was completed in partnership with the SRP Aesthetics Program. The second phase was made possible through the TIGER grant and the SRP Aesthetics Program.
The Grand Canalscape project recently won the Build Arizona award from the Association of General Contractors’ Arizona chapter. Build Arizona awards recognize excellence in project management, contribution to the community, sensitivity to the environment, innovation in construction techniques and a commitment to safety.
On Saturday, February 15, the canal will be alive with activity and entertainment when Mayor Gallego and City Council members host the Grand Canalscape Grand Celebration.
The free, all ages event is February 15 starting with a kickoff ceremony at 10:00 a.m. and continues until noon. The ceremonial grand opening will be just east of Central Avenue between Central High School and Brophy College Preparatory Academy. The event features sponsored entertainment and food and includes a variety of interactive activities along the canal from 9th Avenue to 7th Street (approximately one mile).
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Supplemental Sidebar Details
About Canal Multi-Use Trails
Canal multiple-use developments such as the Grand Canalscape in Phoenix are a growing trend in the Valley and currently more than 80 miles of multi-use trails have been developed on the canal banks. SRP has allowed licensed recreational use of the canal banks since 1964 when the first recreational use agreement was signed by Maricopa County for the Sun Circle trail, a multi-purpose trail that circles the Valley following nearly 68 miles of canal. Since then, other cities have constructed paved and lighted bike paths, bankside landscaping and public art features.
About SRP
SRP is the largest provider of water and power to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, delivering raw water to 11 Valley cities through a 131-mile canal system from a service area covering more than 375 square miles and a 13,000-square-mile watershed.
About the US DOT Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Nation’s highway system (Federal Aid Highway Program) and various federally and tribal owned lands (Federal Lands Highway Program). Through financial and technical assistance to State and local governments, the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.
