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State Route 85 (Arizona)
Encyclopedia
State Route 85, or SR 85, is a 128.86 miles (207.4 km) state highway
in the U.S. state
of Arizona
. The highway runs from the United States-Mexico border near Lukeville
to the north ending at Interstate 10
(I-10) in Buckeye
. The highway also intersects I-8 in Gila Bend
and serves as a connector between I-8 and I-10 and for travelers between Phoenix
and Yuma
as well as San Diego.
Route 85 was established in 1936 as a route between Gila Bend and Ajo
. It was extended southward to the US-Mexico border in 1955, and extended northward to Phoenix when it replaced U.S. Route 80 in 1977. The northern end of the highway was realigned in 1994 onto the connecting highway between I-10 and Buckeye. The remaining portion of the highway between Buckeye and Phoenix was gradually turned over to the cities and county along the route during the 1990s with the final portion turned over in 2001.
in Pima County
. The road continues across the border into Mexico to the town of Sonoita. The highway heads north from the border as a two-lane road, passing through the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
. The highway leaves the monument boundary and heads to a junction with SR 86 in Why
. SR 86 heads east from this junction towards Tucson
and southeastern Arizona. Route 85 heads northwest from this junction to the town of Ajo
. From Ajo, the highway heads north and enters the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
. While within the range, the highway enters Maricopa County
. After the highway passes through the range, it continues towards the north to a junction with I-8 in Gila Bend
. After passing I-8, the highway intersects the business loop of I-8 and turns towards the east to run concurrently with business loop along Pima Street in Gila Bend. The two highways split, with the business loop heading towards the southeast and Route 85 heading northeast providing access to Gila Bend Municipal Airport
Route 85 continues north from Gila Bend towards the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
. This stretch of highway north of Gila Bend is a part of the National Highway System
. The highway passes near the western edge of the Sonoran Desert National Monument
and also provides access to the Buckeye Hills Recreational Area. Route 85 continues northward to a crossing of the Gila River
as it nears Buckeye
. The highway intersects Buckeye Road which is where the original routing of US 80 and later Route 85 followed into Phoenix
before being rerouted onto its current alignment. The highway continues towards the north, crossing over the Buckeye Canal before reaching its northern terminus at exit 112 on I-10
.
The segment of Route 85 between Buckeye and Gila Bend is a connector between I-8 and I-10, and serves both as a connector from I-8 from San Diego
, California
to Phoenix. This segment is being upgraded to a divided highway
, and is planned to become a freeway. Some parts of the four-lane road have already been completed.
. Although not paved between Hassayampa and Gila Bend, it was an improved road. This original routing of US 80 still exists as Old US 80 west of the Route 85 alignment. A dirt road between Gila Bend and Ajo did exist at this time, but it was not a part of the state highway system. By 1935, the entire route of US 80 between Gila Bend and Phoenix had been paved. The road south of Gila Bend had also been improved to a gravel road
.
In 1936, Route 85 was established, but it only extended as far north as Gila Bend and as far south as Ajo. By 1938, Route 85 had been paved as well as the portion between Ajo and Why
that would eventually become part of Route 85. The portion between Why and the border with Mexico began showing up on maps at this time as a gravel road. In 1943, the portion of the highway between Ajo and Why was added to the state highway system, but as SR 86, when it was extended west from Tucson
to Ajo. In 1955, the highway was extended to Lukeville
at the United States-Mexico border with an overlap with SR 86 between Ajo and Why when a county road was added to Route 85.
In 1973, the connector between I-10 and Baseline Road was established, and was redesignated in 1978 as a spur route of Route 85. As the old, indirect US 80 was removed from Arizona, Route 85 was extended north in 1977 over the old alignment of US 80 to Buckeye
and extended east to Phoenix
. Portions of the route in Buckeye and Phoenix were turned over to their respective cities for maintenance in 1990. The following year, a portion of the highway between Avondale and Phoenix was turned over to Maricopa County for maintenance. Also in 1991, the overlap between Route 85 and SR 86 was eliminated and the western terminus of SR 86 was changed to its junction with Route 85 in Why. In 1994, the northern end of Route 85 was moved onto the Route 85 Spur that connected to I-10 and the remaining portions along the old alignment to the east were redesignated as a temporary route of Route 85. In 1999, the portion of the old route in Avondale
was turned over to the city for maintenance. The portion of the old route around the state capitol complex
, the last remaining section of the old route between Phoenix and Buckeye, was turned over to the city of Phoenix in 2001.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. The highway runs from the United States-Mexico border near Lukeville
Lukeville, Arizona
Lukeville is a small unincorporated community on the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Pima County, Arizona, United States.The community consists of the international border crossing into Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico, together with a gas station, a duty free shop, a few outlets that sell Mexican automobile...
to the north ending at Interstate 10
Interstate 10 in Arizona
In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:...
(I-10) in Buckeye
Buckeye, Arizona
Buckeye is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States and is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The population of the town as of Census 2010 was 50,876, a 678% increase from the 2000 population of 6,537.-Geography:...
. The highway also intersects I-8 in Gila Bend
Gila Bend, Arizona
Gila Bend , founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is close to but not precisely at the community's current location...
and serves as a connector between I-8 and I-10 and for travelers between Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
and Yuma
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
as well as San Diego.
Route 85 was established in 1936 as a route between Gila Bend and Ajo
Ajo, Arizona
Ajo is a census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,705 at the 2000 census. Ajo is located on State Route 85 just from the Mexican border. It is the closest community to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument....
. It was extended southward to the US-Mexico border in 1955, and extended northward to Phoenix when it replaced U.S. Route 80 in 1977. The northern end of the highway was realigned in 1994 onto the connecting highway between I-10 and Buckeye. The remaining portion of the highway between Buckeye and Phoenix was gradually turned over to the cities and county along the route during the 1990s with the final portion turned over in 2001.
Route description
The southern terminus of Route 85 is located at the United States-Mexico border near LukevilleLukeville, Arizona
Lukeville is a small unincorporated community on the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Pima County, Arizona, United States.The community consists of the international border crossing into Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico, together with a gas station, a duty free shop, a few outlets that sell Mexican automobile...
in Pima County
Pima County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.3% White*3.5% Black*3.3% Native American*2.6% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.7% Two or more races*12.4% Other races*34.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. The road continues across the border into Mexico to the town of Sonoita. The highway heads north from the border as a two-lane road, passing through the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a U.S. National Monument and UNESCO biosphere reserve located in extreme southern Arizona which shares a border with the Mexican state of Sonora. The park is the only place in the United States where the Organ Pipe Cactus grows wild...
. The highway leaves the monument boundary and heads to a junction with SR 86 in Why
Why, Arizona
Why is a tiny unincorporated rural community in Pima County, Arizona, United States. It lies near the western border of the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation and due north of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona...
. SR 86 heads east from this junction towards Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
and southeastern Arizona. Route 85 heads northwest from this junction to the town of Ajo
Ajo, Arizona
Ajo is a census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,705 at the 2000 census. Ajo is located on State Route 85 just from the Mexican border. It is the closest community to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument....
. From Ajo, the highway heads north and enters the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
The Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range is a bombing range in the U.S. state of Arizona that runs along the Mexican border....
. While within the range, the highway enters Maricopa County
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. After the highway passes through the range, it continues towards the north to a junction with I-8 in Gila Bend
Gila Bend, Arizona
Gila Bend , founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is close to but not precisely at the community's current location...
. After passing I-8, the highway intersects the business loop of I-8 and turns towards the east to run concurrently with business loop along Pima Street in Gila Bend. The two highways split, with the business loop heading towards the southeast and Route 85 heading northeast providing access to Gila Bend Municipal Airport
Gila Bend Municipal Airport
Gila Bend Municipal Airport , is a public use airport located two nm east of the CBD of Gila Bend, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
Route 85 continues north from Gila Bend towards the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Phoenix Metropolitan Area
The Phoenix metropolitan area, often referred to as The Valley of the Sun, is a metropolitan area, centered on the city of Phoenix, that includes much of the central part of the US state of Arizona...
. This stretch of highway north of Gila Bend is a part of the National Highway System
National Highway System (United States)
The National Highway System is a network of strategic highways within the United States, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads serving major airports, ports, rail or truck terminals, railway stations, pipeline terminals and other strategic transport facilities.Individual states...
. The highway passes near the western edge of the Sonoran Desert National Monument
Sonoran Desert National Monument
Sonoran Desert National Monument is located south of Goodyear and Buckeye and east of Gila Bend, Arizona. Created by Presidential proclamation on January 17, 2001, the 496,337 acre monument is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management , an agency within the U.S. Department of the...
and also provides access to the Buckeye Hills Recreational Area. Route 85 continues northward to a crossing of the Gila River
Gila River
The Gila River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 650 miles long, in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.-Description:...
as it nears Buckeye
Buckeye, Arizona
Buckeye is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States and is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The population of the town as of Census 2010 was 50,876, a 678% increase from the 2000 population of 6,537.-Geography:...
. The highway intersects Buckeye Road which is where the original routing of US 80 and later Route 85 followed into Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
before being rerouted onto its current alignment. The highway continues towards the north, crossing over the Buckeye Canal before reaching its northern terminus at exit 112 on I-10
Interstate 10 in Arizona
In the U.S. state of Arizona, Interstate 10, the major east–west Interstate Highway in the southern United States, runs east from California, enters Arizona and continues through Phoenix and Tucson and exits at the border with New Mexico.-Route description:...
.
The segment of Route 85 between Buckeye and Gila Bend is a connector between I-8 and I-10, and serves both as a connector from I-8 from San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to Phoenix. This segment is being upgraded to a divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
, and is planned to become a freeway. Some parts of the four-lane road have already been completed.
History
The first numbered highway along the Route 85 corridor was established in 1927 between Gila Bend and Phoenix as US 80. At the time, it was only paved from Phoenix to HassayampaHassayampa, Arizona
Hassayampa is a place in Arizona on the both banks of the Hassayampa River along the Southern Pacific Railway. It was about four miles west of Palo Verde, Arizona and slightly east of Dixie, Arizona and Arlington, Arizona....
. Although not paved between Hassayampa and Gila Bend, it was an improved road. This original routing of US 80 still exists as Old US 80 west of the Route 85 alignment. A dirt road between Gila Bend and Ajo did exist at this time, but it was not a part of the state highway system. By 1935, the entire route of US 80 between Gila Bend and Phoenix had been paved. The road south of Gila Bend had also been improved to a gravel road
Gravel road
A gravel road is a type of unpaved road surfaced with gravel that has been brought to the site from a quarry or stream bed. They are common in less-developed nations, and also in the rural areas of developed nations such as Canada and the United States. In New Zealand, they are known as 'metal roads'...
.
In 1936, Route 85 was established, but it only extended as far north as Gila Bend and as far south as Ajo. By 1938, Route 85 had been paved as well as the portion between Ajo and Why
Why, Arizona
Why is a tiny unincorporated rural community in Pima County, Arizona, United States. It lies near the western border of the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation and due north of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona...
that would eventually become part of Route 85. The portion between Why and the border with Mexico began showing up on maps at this time as a gravel road. In 1943, the portion of the highway between Ajo and Why was added to the state highway system, but as SR 86, when it was extended west from Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
to Ajo. In 1955, the highway was extended to Lukeville
Lukeville, Arizona
Lukeville is a small unincorporated community on the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Pima County, Arizona, United States.The community consists of the international border crossing into Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico, together with a gas station, a duty free shop, a few outlets that sell Mexican automobile...
at the United States-Mexico border with an overlap with SR 86 between Ajo and Why when a county road was added to Route 85.
In 1973, the connector between I-10 and Baseline Road was established, and was redesignated in 1978 as a spur route of Route 85. As the old, indirect US 80 was removed from Arizona, Route 85 was extended north in 1977 over the old alignment of US 80 to Buckeye
Buckeye, Arizona
Buckeye is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States and is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The population of the town as of Census 2010 was 50,876, a 678% increase from the 2000 population of 6,537.-Geography:...
and extended east to Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. Portions of the route in Buckeye and Phoenix were turned over to their respective cities for maintenance in 1990. The following year, a portion of the highway between Avondale and Phoenix was turned over to Maricopa County for maintenance. Also in 1991, the overlap between Route 85 and SR 86 was eliminated and the western terminus of SR 86 was changed to its junction with Route 85 in Why. In 1994, the northern end of Route 85 was moved onto the Route 85 Spur that connected to I-10 and the remaining portions along the old alignment to the east were redesignated as a temporary route of Route 85. In 1999, the portion of the old route in Avondale
Avondale, Arizona
Avondale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, adjacent to Phoenix, Arizona. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 76,238.Avondale is the home of Phoenix International Raceway, an auto racing facility...
was turned over to the city for maintenance. The portion of the old route around the state capitol complex
Arizona State Capitol
The Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, formerly housed the Territorial and State Legislatures, as well as various executive offices...
, the last remaining section of the old route between Phoenix and Buckeye, was turned over to the city of Phoenix in 2001.
Junction list
| County | Location | Mile | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Pima County, Arizona -2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.3% White*3.5% Black*3.3% Native American*2.6% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.7% Two or more races*12.4% Other races*34.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... |
0.00 | United States-Mexico border | ||
| 27.35 | ||||
| Maricopa Maricopa County, Arizona -2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... |
Gila Bend Gila Bend, Arizona Gila Bend , founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is close to but not precisely at the community's current location... |
79.57 | ||
| 80.15 | – San Diego | South end of I-8 Bus. overlap | ||
| 83.06 | North end of I-8 Bus. overlap | |||
| Buckeye Buckeye, Arizona Buckeye is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States and is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The population of the town as of Census 2010 was 50,876, a 678% increase from the 2000 population of 6,537.-Geography:... |
117.87 | , Los Angeles Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... |