Gates Pass
Encyclopedia
Gates Pass is a scenic route
in the area of Tucson, Arizona
. The road is a continuation of West Speedway Boulevard in the city, which assumes the name Gates Pass after passing North Camino De Oeste. From there, it continues until it reaches Kinney Road.
The road is lined with scenic overlooks, and is an area where locals and tourists come to watch the sunset.
, in a search for a shortcut through the Tucson Mountains
; Gates was a local pioneer, and a saloon and ranch keeper. He purchased the land in order to build this road.
Currently, the road carries approximately 3100 cars daily.
Though the changes have improved safety, a man was killed in a rollover accident on March 17, 2008 while driving along Gates Pass.
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
in the area of Tucson, Arizona
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...
. The road is a continuation of West Speedway Boulevard in the city, which assumes the name Gates Pass after passing North Camino De Oeste. From there, it continues until it reaches Kinney Road.
The road is lined with scenic overlooks, and is an area where locals and tourists come to watch the sunset.
History
The road through Gates Pass was started in 1883 by Thomas GatesThomas Gates
Thomas Gates may refer to:*Sir Thomas Gates , of the Virginia Company, an early leader and governor of the Colony of Virginia*Thomas Sovereign Gates , U.S. educator, first president of the University of Pennsylvania...
, in a search for a shortcut through the Tucson Mountains
Tucson Mountains
The Tucson Mountains are a minor mountain range west of Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson Mountains, including Wasson Peak, are one of four notable mountain ranges surrounding the Tucson valley...
; Gates was a local pioneer, and a saloon and ranch keeper. He purchased the land in order to build this road.
Currently, the road carries approximately 3100 cars daily.
Safety
Gates Pass has been considered an extremely dangerous road due to a slope that occurs midway through the route, with 58 wrecks reported between 1996 and 2001. In 2006, a project was undertaken to improve the safety of the road, which included widening and a temporary closure. This project was named the third best road project in the country for the year 2006 in Roads and Bridges Magazine.Though the changes have improved safety, a man was killed in a rollover accident on March 17, 2008 while driving along Gates Pass.