The town has begun its traffic count study at the intersection of Saguaro Boulevard and Technology Drive. The study was ordered by the Town Council to collect information before making a decision whether to open Technology Drive to traffic from Saguaro. A gate across the street closes access.

Members of town staff gathered with residents of the Mirage Cove neighborhood on Monday, March 13, to explain how they would conduct the traffic study.

The 90-day examination began Monday, March 20, with the gate remaining closed to traffic for the first 45 days to count traffic at the intersection. The count will continue for a second 45 days with the gate open. It will close again after that period until council evaluates the information and makes a decision.

Staff will present the count data to council members. Public Works Director Paul Mood has said staff does not expect to provide an interpretation of the numbers.

Traffic counters are placed on both the north and southbound lanes of Saguaro at 120 feet east of the intersection with Technology. Additionally the counters are on Technology Drive about 80 feet north of Saguaro. Another counter is located on a paved alley that runs between Saguaro and Laser Drive about a quarter-mile west of Technology. The counter is about 130 feet north of Saguaro in the alley.

Street Superintendent Justin Weldy said the counters would be dual lines and able to distinguish between cars, trucks and trucks with trailers as the counters can identify the number of axles crossing the lines.

Speed can also be monitored, although that is not believed to be a factor of concern for this study.

The data will show numbers, time and type of traffic for the day, week and month.

The study will not be complete until late May and Town Manager Grady Miller said he is not sure the data would be ready for the council for one of its June meetings. With the council not meeting in July, it would likely be at least August before it revisits the gate issue, according to Miller.

A resident asked whether the council discussion could be delayed further to allow for part-time residents who leave for the summer months to be present.

Miller said that is a decision for the Council and suggested only that the residents contact members of the Council to express that desire.

The gate was installed nearly 20 years ago to deter traffic, particularly trucks from using Saguaro and Technology as a “back way” to get into the Target shopping center.

The issue has been revisited over the years from time to time, but councils have stuck with an original commitment to keep the gate closed.

The gate has been open on occasion as a construction or emergency detour, but never permanently opened.