Bits and Pieces

No Turn On Red

There is one traffic light intersection in Oro Valley where drivers are not allowed to make a right turn on red. Can you guess which one it is?  It is the intersection of Tangerine Road and Oracle Road, specifically for traffic heading eastbound on Tangerine and turning southbound onto Oracle. Lieutenant Eric Larter of the Oro Valley Police Department told LOVE that the “No Turn on Red” restriction for eastbound Tangerine Road turning southbound onto Oracle Road exists because Oracle has a 55 mph speed limit at that location and southbound drivers come over a crest just north of the intersection before heading downhill toward Oro Valley Marketplace. According to Larter, the restriction is intended to reduce the risk of collisions between high speed southbound traffic and vehicles accelerating from a stop on Tangerine. He also noted that quite a few drivers attempt the turn and that officers often stop motorists there simply to educate them about the restriction and signage.

Memorial Day remembrance Monday

A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony is planned for Monday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arizona Heroes Memorial at Naranja Park. The event will honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to the nation. The event is hosted by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 and Arizona Heroes Memorial.

🎈🎈🎈Congratulations: CDO Softball wins State Championship

Canyon Del Oro High School softball captured the AIA 4A state championship Monday, earning the program’s 10th state title, its first since 2017. The championship run required winning five straight games in a 16 team tournament that began May 2, a feat only one team can achieve. CDO dominated early, shutting out opponents in its first three games, then won its final two contests by one run. The accomplishment is particularly notable because the team’s pitcher, Savanna Mares, is a freshman. Mares was a key force in the 2026 season, compiling a 21-6 record in a year that included a perfect game with 20 strikeouts. Congratulations as well to CDO Coach Kelly Fowler and the entire Dorados team on another state title. The 2026 championship run was powered by a freshman standout, a team that hit when it mattered, and a coach who knows how to win. (Assist from All Sports Tucson)

Explore Oro Valley tourism website launches today

Oro Valley’s new destination marketing website, ExploreOroValley.com will launch today after 11 a.m., according to Destination Marketing Manager Crystal Frank. It was presented to council Wednesday.  The site is the culmination of roughly a year of work. It is intended to support tourism, community awareness, and local business visibility. Frank described it as more than a website, calling it a new destination identity for Oro Valley. The site includes interactive features for events, dining, outdoor recreation, arts, lodging, trip planning, and mobile use, along with a new tourism focused brand and logo system separate from the Town’s official seal and logo. The branding and website effort cost about $175,000, according to Economic Development Director Paul Melcher.

Water customers will need to switch usage tracking apps on June 30

Oro Valley water customers who use the Town’s WaterSmart portal to monitor water use will need to move to a new platform called SpryPoint beginning June 30. According to Town Manager Jeff Wilkins, current WaterSmart users will need to register again and reenter their information in the new system. The change primarily affects customers who actively track their household water use.

Golder Ranch highlights fall prevention app NYMBL

Golder Ranch Fire District is encouraging residents to consider using the NYMBL balance training app, a mobile program designed to help reduce the risk of falls. According to Golder Ranch Fire District materials, the app combines balance exercises with cognitive training activities intended to improve stability, coordination, reaction time, and confidence during everyday movement. The district’s materials state that the program is aimed primarily at older adults and can be completed in about 10 minutes a day using a smartphone or tablet.

Council approves Sun City fountain

The Oro Valley Town Council voted 6–1 Wednesday to allow restoration of the Lion’s Head fountain at the Sun City Oro Valley Recreation Center in Rancho Vistoso. The action approved a site specific zoning amendment allowing the ornamental fountain to return. A council decision on this was needed because Town code prohibits new ornamental fountains. Supporters argued the redesigned fountain would use substantially less water and include conservation features such as rainwater harvesting. Opponents cited drought concerns, water conservation policy, and the precedent of granting an exception. Councilmember Joyce Jones Ivey cast the lone dissenting vote. Readers interested in the background and arguments on both sides can review LOVE’s earlier article on the proposal.  

- - -

Guest View-David Rishor: The "Oro Valley Motor Speedway"

Previously we wrote about the very unsafe Buena Vista & Concordia intersection. With 30 accidents in the last 10 years and increasing traffic from CDO High School and an upcoming OVCN expansion, this intersection poses unique challenges. 

What we did not relate at that time were some other serious traffic issues caused by this hard to navigate intersection. Resident David Rishor told us about some collateral damage caused by that mess.

- - -

"What was missing from discussions about traffic issues [at Concordia and Buena Vista] is the Overlook Drive shortcut—or as we neighbors call it, the Oro Valley Motor Speedway.

This route is often overlooked.. but not by the traffic heading to or from the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene and CDO High School. Why? It’s simple. We all know about the congestion and dangerous conditions at W. Calle Concordia and N. Buena Vista. Since this intersection is a nightmare, what do drivers do? They cut south on Overlook Drive, turn west on Spring Valley Drive, and then jump onto southbound Buena Vista—TA-DA! An easy, breezy way to bypass the congestion.

And bypass it they do! Day after day, weekend after weekend, we witness cars flying through this 25 mph residential area at criminal-level speeds. It’s terrifying. You should see it—OMG! Why isn’t Oro Valley P.D. taking advantage of this? They’re never around. Why not?

The solution? Simple.

Speed humps. Not speed bumps that force drivers to crawl at 5 mph, but properly designed humps that are smooth at 25 mph yet unforgiving to speeders. Go too fast? BAM—you’ll feel it!

Something must be done. This issue is serious, and it needs to stay part of the traffic conversation!"

- - -

David...we definitely agree.

Traffic Safety Concerns at the Buena Vista and Concordia Intersection

Traffic control challenges ahead
The intersection of Buena Vista and Concordia presents unique traffic safety challenges. The current traffic control setup includes stop signs only on the north-south road, Buena Vista, while the east-west road, Concordia, has no traffic control measures. This disparity can create confusion among drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with the intersection, leading to an increased risk of accidents. Data from 2014 to 2024 shows a total of 30 accidents at this intersection.

High School traffic causes many incidents
One of the significant factors contributing to traffic congestion at this intersection is the presence of CDO High School. During weekdays, traffic volumes peak in the mornings and early afternoons as students, parents, and staff commute to and from the school. In fact, 60% of recorded accidents in the past ten years occurred during school hours and days, highlighting the impact of increased traffic during these periods. The increased volume of vehicles, combined with the absence of a traffic signal, can lead to congestion and higher chances of collisions.

Intersection layout complicates safe crossing
Another challenge stems from the unique layout of the intersection [panel right]. Drivers crossing from one section of Buena Vista to the other cannot proceed in a straight line; they must first turn left and then right to continue across. This complex maneuver introduces additional opportunities for driver error, potentially contributing to the high number of angle (front-to-side) collisions reported at this location. Of the total collisions recorded, 70% were angle collisions, further demonstrating the difficulties posed by the intersection's layout.

Most common accident cause is "Failure To Yield"
Accident data indicates that the most common cause of collisions at this intersection is "Failure to Yield Right of Way." This issue is particularly prevalent among vehicles traveling north or south on Buena Vista, which are required to stop at the intersection. In contrast, east-west traffic on Concordia, which does not have to stop, often proceeds at higher speeds, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Of the accidents caused by failure to yield, 81% involved north or southbound traffic.

Speeding and driver misjudgment also play a role
Speeding and misjudgments are additional contributing factors. Several accidents have been attributed to drivers traveling too fast for conditions, particularly during peak hours. The absence of dedicated turning lanes or clear signage further complicates navigation, making it crucial for drivers to remain vigilant.

Better traffic control needed now...

To improve safety at this intersection, potential solutions could include enhanced signage, additional traffic control measures such as flashing lights, or even a reconfiguration of the crossing pattern to allow for smoother transitions between Buena Vista's sections. Increased enforcement during high-traffic times may also help mitigate risks and promote safer driving behaviors. 

 ...Needed even more if OVCN expands

While 30 accidents over ten years might not be considered excessively high, it does suggest room for improvement in traffic safety. The unique intersection layout, school-related traffic, and the significant increase in Sunday morning and Wednesday night traffic as a result of the pending massive expansion of the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene contribute to these incidents and could potentially add to future risks. Measures such as improved signage, traffic calming, or re-evaluating intersection control seem like viable actions the town should take to enhance safety and reduce accident occurrences.

- - -

Statistics for the article were from accident data provided by the Town of Oro Valley.