Bernal, John

Part 1 was recorded in Tucson, Arizona on December 12th, 2024 and it covers the following themes:  

b. 1948 

  • A few words about Bernal’s parents. 

  • Memories of Barrio Anita during the 1950s: grocery stores, Oury Park. Newspaper route in 1959. Backyard tortilla making. Lack of awareness of the construction of Interstate 10. The Southern Pacific Railroad. 

  • Downtown Tucson in the 1950s. Theaters. La Selva dance hall. 

  • Chopping cotton in Marana in the 1950s. 

  • Education: Davis Elementary School. Emphasis on English language. John Spring Junior High. Tucson High School. Football games. Studying civil engineering at the University of Arizona in 1965. Working at UA Audio-video services. 

  • First job with the Bureau of Public Roads (now Federal Highway Administration) in 1969. Working with state highway departments across the United States.  

  • Return to Tucson in 1973 to work with Pima County as a civil engineer. Changes in downtown since childhood. Decision to return to the west side of Tucson. 

Part 2 was recorded in Tucson, Arizona on December 19th, 2024 and covers the following themes: 

  • An overview of Bernal’s career, focusing largely on the Pima County Transportation Department, private developers, and US-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission. 

  • A deeper dive into the Pima County Highway Department in the 1970s. 

  • Planning a large artery along River Road’s present location. 

  • Public engagement in transportation projects. 

  • Work to extend Kolb Road through Davis Monthan Air Force Base and the creation of Kino Parkway. 

  • River and Campbell intersection realignment. 

  • Changing municipal attitudes towards displacement. 

  • The Craycroft bridge over the Rillito River. 

  • The Pima County Transportation Department’s interest in drainage projects. 

  • Changing attitudes towards development, land use, and road expansion over the span of Bernal’s career. Contrast between Tucson and Phoenix and the public’s lack of enthusiasm for grade separated intersections. Challenges to municipal plans from different political sides. 

  • Regional transportation planning. 

  • Late 1970s promotion to Deputy Director of Pima County Highway Department. 

  • The 1983 flood.

Part 3 was recorded in Tucson, Arizona on January 9th, 2025 and covers the following themes: 

  • Leaving Pima County in 1994 and becoming the US Commissioner for the US-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission. 

  • Water treatment and infrastructure projects between 1994 and 2001. 

  • Challenges of bi-national collaboration. Lack of Spanish language skills among US employees. Mexican water debts. 

  • Changes in border activity over Bernal’s career. 

  • Returning to Pima County as head of public works, from 2001-2017. Wastewater projects. Regional Transportation Authority projects. Division of Flood Control and Transportation departments within the County. Changing thinking about stormwater retention. 

Aengus Anderson