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The Palo Parado (Exit 25) is a vital crossing in Santa Cruz County At present it moves approximately 1,400 vehicles a day to and from the east and west side of Interstate 19.
This crossing is vulnerable to be permanently closed by Union Pacific at the Railroad tracks if the armed signals and lights cannot be installed. It is important to note that Union Pacific has deemed this crossing as one of Arizona's most dangerous, not because of poor visibility but by the sheer numbers of vehicles that cross daily. The odds of a train-vehicle accident are high.

Work scheduled to begin in January to pave and line a permanent road from Pendleton Drive (east side of tracks) to 200 feet beyond the tracks has a short fall of about $18,000 in funds. The urgency to succeed in this road crossing improvement will secure the crossing staying open. ADOT can then release the 130 funds so the signal arms and lights can be installed at this railroad crossing.

It is no secret that our county, as all counties, and the state have no spare funds.
I am asking everyone, residents, businesses, organizations and concerned citizens from Green Valley and throughout Santa Cruz County to make a financial contribution to the Santa Cruz County Palo Parado Road Fund (SCCPPRF).

Ultimately the bridge will be built, but only if the crossing remains open!

Your contribution to the SCCPPRF will have an immediate impact on securing the use of this railroad crossing forever and the safety of everyone who uses it now and in the future.

This project has a total cost of about $110,000. Through the contributions of material, labor, a loan, city of Nogales resources, county sources and community donations we are within $18,000 of the needed amount. Please make a check out to the SCCPPRF. Any contribution you make moves this endeavor toward completion.

The checks may be mailed to the Santa Cruz County Complex, 2150 N. Congress Dr., Nogales AZ 85621. ATTN: Jennifer St. John. Fund #107

Randy Glennie
Rio Rico

editor's note: progress of the fund-raising campaign can be tracked at http://www.co.santa-cruz.az.us/public_works/paloparado/Palo-Parado-Funding-Update.pdf