WestLand led the project’s early feasibility and alignment study, identifying critical issues and plotting alignment to reduce conflicts. The team then transitioned into a CMAR delivery model, bringing in Borderland early for constructability reviews, cost modeling, and stakeholder negotiations.
The project was executed in three interdependent phases:
• Phase 1: Aerospace Corridor – 6.3 miles of new 18”-36” PVC sewer
• Phase 2: Old Nogales Interceptor – 7.0 miles of 36” PVC sewer
• Phase 3: Park Avenue Augmentation – 0.3 miles to relieve urban bottlenecks
This phasing allowed short-term wins to progress while addressing long-term constraints such as UPRR permitting and public engagement. The CMAR team implemented trenchless bore techniques at 17 crossings to reduce disruption and expedite installation. WestLand conducted extensive environmental surveys and cultural reviews, preserving endangered plants in collaboration with the Pima County Native Plant Nursery and the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society. To avoid jurisdictional impacts at sensitive washes, sewer lines were installed via jack-and-bore under scour zones which eliminated the need for U.S. Army Corps 404 permits. Innovative materials such as armorock polymer concrete manholes and diversion structures were selected for their corrosion resistance and 50- year life expectancy. Handling high-strength effluent from the Wilmot Prison needed to be a feature, not a perk. Communities and businesses were engaged throughout each construction phase with open houses, multilingual flyers, traffic alerts, and stakeholder meetings. Sensitive institutions, including schools and the VA hospital, received tailored plans to protect access, safety, and operations.
