SR 77 Wildlife Gate and Fence project ribbon cutting on April 19

Published on April 07, 2023

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (April 7, 2023) – The Town of Oro Valley is holding a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, April 19 to celebrate the completion of the State Route 77 (Oracle Road) Wildlife Gate and Fence project. The ribbon cutting is the culmination of a years-long collaboration between the Town, surrounding neighbors and regional partners to preserve scenic views and protect wildlife along SR 77 north of Tangerine Road.

The ribbon cutting will start at 9 a.m. at 2746 E. Scenic Overlook Place (the west side of SR 77 at Scenic Overlook Place). Parking will be available in the neighborhood along two streets. A-frame signs will provide instructions on where to park as well as directions to the ribbon cutting staging area.

About the project
The gate and fence project was funded by the Pima Association of Governments/Regional Transportation Authority (PAG/RTA). The Town of Oro Valley served as project administrator, with work done by AECOM, Sellers & Sons, Inc., Ninyo & Moore and Tucson Electric Power.

As part of the SR 77 road widening project improvements, game fences had been installed on both sides of the SR 77 corridor from Tangerine Road to the Pinal County line. In this area, a 10-foot-high fence was initially planned to be installed on the back side of homes along the Big Wash. This would route wildlife to the previously established SR 77 Wildlife Bridge crossings. However, residents in the area expressed a desire to see wildlife from their homes, and not look at a tall game fence. The Town of Oro Valley and PAG/RTA worked with neighbors, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection to make changes to the existing fence and add gates across the roads to prevent wildlife from dangerously crossing SR 77, keeping wildlife in the Big Wash wildlife corridor.

“Oro Valley takes great pride in our natural open spaces and wildlife,” said Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield. “While building upon a previously established wildlife route, this project is truly a group effort to find solutions to protect wildlife without compromising our scenic views. We are grateful for the residents, conservation groups and regional partners who share our community’s values and collaborated with the Town of Oro Valley on this wonderful project.”

The SR 77 Wildlife Bridge was the first of its kind in Southern Arizona when construction finished in 2016. The bridge provides a safe crossing over SR 77 for wildlife including bobcats, desert tortoises and mule deer. Regional conservation groups now monitor wildlife on the bridge using cameras.

"This has been quite an effort on the part of groups with a wide variety of needs. Biologists, government agencies, and wildlife connectivity advocates were at odds with Oro Valley residents' concerns about scenic views at the start of this project, with no solution seemingly possible," said Carolyn Campbell, Executive Director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, a leading wildlife connectivity advocate in Southern Arizona. “But collaboration won the day, with groups working literally for years to find a solution that works for both wildlife and residents. Today is a celebration of that effort.”

Protecting scenic views, open spaces and wildlife is a community value in Oro Valley. The Town recognizes that this project would not have been completed without the help and input of residents in the affected neighborhoods.

“The wildlife fencing project has been ongoing since 2016 and has been a collaborative effort between the homeowners, the Town of Oro Valley, the RTA, the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The gates and gap wildlife fencing should serve well to protect animals from entering Oracle Road and to use the animal underpass. Congratulations to all for this wonderful outcome,” said Pat Miller, a resident who has been involved in this project.

The Town of Oro Valley would like to thank the following project partners:

• Pima Association of Governments/Regional Transportation Authority
• Arizona Department of Transportation
• AECOM
• Ninyo & Moore
• Sellers & Sons, Inc.
• Tucson Electric Power
• Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection
• Arizona Game and Fish Department
• Sky Island Alliance
• Tucson Audubon Society