Apache Trail, Tonto National Forest : Observations, Considerations, and Recommendations from the Interagency Transportation Assistance Group (TAG)

Rasmussen, Benjamin; Nash, Logan · 2016 · ROSA P / John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)

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Summary

This report documents the findings and recommendations of an Interagency Transportation Assistance Group (TAG) convened to address the long-term management of Arizona State Route 88, known as the Apache Trail, on the Tonto National Forest. The study was motivated by significant safety concerns regarding the road’s winding geometry and steep drop-offs, which conflict with its status as a historic scenic route and economic generator. The TAG, comprising staff from the Volpe Center, U.S. Forest Service, Federal Highway Administration, and Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), conducted a site visit in June 2015 to evaluate conditions and propose management scenarios that balance visitor safety, historic preservation, and environmental protection. The Apache Trail is a 42-mile historic road featuring both paved and unpaved sections, serving as the primary access route for recreation sites, marinas, and dam facilities. The report identifies critical infrastructure deficiencies, including hazardous curves, inadequate road width, poor surface conditions on the decomposed granite unpaved sections, and load-restricted bridges. These conditions pose risks to travelers, particularly inexperienced drivers and large vehicles, while complicating emergency response and maintenance logistics. Legal complexities further challenge management, as the road is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, requiring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act. Additionally, ADOT lacks a formal highway easement, creating ambiguity in maintenance authority. The TAG analyzed potential actions categorized into infrastructure improvements, awareness campaigns, and policy changes. Infrastructure options ranged from low-cost measures like vegetation removal and rock scaling to high-cost interventions such as adding guardrails and constructing pullout areas. The report highlights that while safety improvements are necessary, they must be carefully sequenced to avoid adverse effects on historic assets and scenic views. The agencies are currently developing a Programmatic Agreement and a Maintenance and Operations Plan to streamline regulatory reviews for routine activities. The report concludes by recommending a strategic approach to the Apache Trail’s future, emphasizing the need for a clear long-term vision. It suggests pursuing a combination of safety enhancements, such as curve corrections and surface stabilization, alongside administrative actions to formalize ADOT’s easement and clarify management responsibilities. The ultimate goal is to ensure the road remains accessible and safe for visitors and utility operators while preserving its historic character and minimizing environmental impact. The findings serve as a foundation for an upcoming Apache Trail Strategic Plan to guide future investments and maintenance efforts.

Key finding

The Apache Trail presents significant safety challenges due to hazardous geometry, inadequate surfacing, and lack of pullout areas, requiring a strategic management plan that balances infrastructure improvements with historic preservation mandates.

Methodology

field_study

Provenance

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