CONTACT: Jeffery Hidalgo
ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (July 24, 2025) – On June 30, the Oro Valley Town Council unanimously approved an amendment to fund the remaining portion of the Naranja Drive Multi-Use Path (MUP), keeping the project on schedule to begin construction later this year.
The new MUP will enhance safety, mobility and regional connectivity by adding a 10-foot-wide paved path for walking, jogging and biking along the north side of Naranja Drive, from La Cañada Drive to First Avenue. The 1.75-mile route will connect nearby neighborhoods to Naranja Park, local schools, employment centers and other community destinations.
Because the project is federally funded, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is leading its design and construction. The Arizona State Transportation Board awarded the construction contract to Granite Construction Company on July 18. Based on ADOT’s current schedule, construction is expected to begin in mid-September 2025 and be completed by March 2026.
“This is an important project to improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists in Oro Valley,” said Town Manager Jeff Wilkins. “We’re excited to see it moving forward. When complete, the path will deliver a safer, more connected corridor that reflects our vision for a bike- and pedestrian-friendly town.”
“The grant funding Town staff secured makes this a tremendous value,” said Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield. “By unlocking nearly $4 million in outside funding, less than 9% of the project’s total cost will come from Town funds, which is a smart and strategic investment in our community.”
The project was originally expected to be fully funded through $3.66 million in federal and regional transportation grants; however, following ADOT’s June 13 bid opening, the total project cost rose to $3.99 million. The Town’s contribution of $341,000, funded through savings from other Town road projects in the fiscal year 2024/25 budget, will cover the remaining gap.
The Town of Oro Valley applied for federal funding in 2022 through the Pima Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Alternatives Grant (RTAG) program, ultimately securing $3.449 million in RTAG funds. An additional $208,930 in local Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) funding was also awarded. Together, these sources cover 91% of the total project cost.
“We appreciate our partnership with ADOT in advancing this federally funded project,” Wilkins said. “And I want to personally congratulate our Public Works team—Director Paul Keesler, Jose Rodriguez and Cheryl Huelle—for securing the grant funding, identifying local savings and coordinating across agencies to make this project possible.”
For more information, watch the Town Council Special Session June 30 videoor visit AZDOT.gov/NaranjaPathProject.
###
