Puerto Penasco, or Rocky Point, has long been known as Arizona’s beach. Just a few hours’ drive from Phoenix, the resort town has lived — and died — with Arizona tourism.

When drug violence has hit the area, and Arizonans have avoided it, Rocky Point’s economy has taken a big hit.

Tourism numbers are on the upswing today, though, according to the Arizona Republic, and, now, Arizona’s Department of Transportation is doing its part to make the drive to Rocky Point safer.

ADOT just announced a binational program to create a Safety Corridor along Mexico’s Route 8 to Rocky Point during this year’s Spring Break.

John Halikowski, director of ADOT, said the collaboration came about when working to move Mexican truckers through border checkpoints faster and more safely. As the relationship and partnership with Mexican authorities developed, they began discussing other potential problems areas, which led them to the road to Rocky Point.

The new Safety Corridor represents a broader relationship between Arizona authorities and those in Sonora, Mexico, the state just to the south of the border.

For more on that, I sat down with Juan Ciscomani, Governor Ducey’s Senior Advisor for Regional and International Affairs and leader of the Arizona-Mexico Commission. He says the travel warnings that have been issued by the State Department for the area have definitely affected things there. But, he hopes collaborations like this safety corridor continue to build the relationship between Arizona and Sonora.