TA Tidbits # 67 Saguaros & Tangerine(s)
- Mark L. Johnson
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Saguaro Research-Tortolita Preserve
Tortolita Alliance (TA) has proposed to conduct a Saguaro Survey/Inventory within the Tortolita Preserve. TA worked with scientists from the Tumamoc Desert Laboratory to develop a preliminary plan, which has been submitted to Marana Parks & Recreation for consideration. We await their response. A Saguaro Survey/Inventory project is an excellent way for our citizen scientists to participate in a very important, long-term saguaro study.
Saguaro National Park-Saguaro Root Study
The Saguaro National Park-East Entrance is being renovated, and several saguaros had to be relocated. This provided an opportunity for saguaro researchers to take a closer look at saguaro root structure. The roots are very shallow (4-6 inches below ground surface) and radiate out to a distance approximately equal to the height of the saguaro.
Henry Brean (Tucson Daily Star) wrote a nice article about the saguaro root study, which is available at the link below.
Proposed Medical Center-Dove Mountain Blvd & Tangerine Road
The Marana Town Council approved (12/2/25) a block plat for a 53.7-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Dove Mountain Blvd and Tangerine Road. Sources have informed TA that a large medical facility, maybe a mini-hospital, is potentially planned for this parcel.
Tangerine Road Phase 2-B Postponed
Tangerine Road Phase 2A Improvements are almost complete. However, the Tangerine Road Phase 2B Improvements, which were scheduled to be completed in the current Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) project cycle (2007-2026), have been postponed due to a lack of funding. These transportation projects are costing a lot more than expected. Tangerine Road Phase 2B Improvements are not included in the latest list of projects in the next 20-year RTA project cycle (2026-2045), which is scheduled to be brought for voter approval in March. It is not clear where the funding will come from. Apparently, there will be an unimproved road gap on Tangerine Road between Dove Mountain Blvd and the eastern end of Tangerine Road Phase 2A Improvements for a while.
Tangerine Road & I-10
The widening of Tangerine Road at the at-grade railroad crossing (I-10) is still under design and delayed by Union Pacific Railroad processes.
Reminder, the I-10 interchange improvements in Marana will come over many years in the following sequence: (1) Moore Road-new interchange, (2) Tangerine Road-interchange improvements, and (3) Cortaro Road-interchange improvements.