Tempe Completes Scottsdale Road Bike Corridor
The city finished a 1.2-mile infrastructure project designed to improve safety and accessibility.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cycling
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Tempe concluded the Scottsdale Road bike lane project in September 2026 after construction began in August 2025. The 1.2-mile stretch now features buffered bike lanes and pedestrian upgrades as part of its designation as a multimodal corridor.
Why it matters
The project serves the city goal of increasing safety and transit accessibility for residents traveling to local parks, schools, businesses, and transit routes. By separating cyclists from traffic with vertical posts, the city aims to provide a safer environment for commuters.
The project covers a 1.2-mile section of Scottsdale Road between Continental Drive and Curry Road. It was supported by $5.9 million in combined grant and tax revenue funding.
The players
Maricopa Association of Governments
This regional agency coordinates planning and funding for transportation and infrastructure projects across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Tempe Transit Tax
This is a local revenue stream dedicated to funding public transportation and infrastructure improvements within the City of Tempe.
The details
The improvements include buffered bike lanes separated from vehicles by vertical posts, alongside new pedestrian curb ramps and crossing push buttons. The corridor also features updated medians landscaped with trees.
Timeline
Construction began on the bike lane project in August 2025.
The construction concluded in September 2026.
Season Trajectory
This project aligns with the Complete Streets policy framework by prioritizing multimodal access over exclusive vehicle throughput. It shifts the corridor status to a designated multimodal route, influencing future development along the city transit network.
Cyclists can now use dedicated buffered lanes along the 1.2-mile corridor, while pedestrians benefit from new curb ramps and accessible push buttons. These changes modify local traffic patterns for daily commuters traveling between Continental Drive and Curry Road.
The takeaway
The transformation of Scottsdale Road reflects a broader shift toward integrating cyclist safety into urban transit planning. Residents can now utilize these new features to navigate North Tempe with improved accessibility and separation from vehicular traffic.
Further reading
For more information on local infrastructure developments, see the Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTAR.
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