$35M Requested for Riggs Road Improvements

Maricopa Association of Governments’ proposed SR 347 Improvements. Credit: inMaricopa

Source: inMaricopa.com

A state lawmaker from Maricopa is taking a direct route to fund an overpass on State Route 347 across Riggs Road.

Rep. Bret Roberts is the primary sponsor of House Bill 2802. The brief text of the bill asks for the allocation of $35M for the construction. If passed, the money would be appropriated from the general fund for fiscal year 2020-21.

Roberts cited the continuing growth of Maricopa, and the projected population of 124,000 in 20 years, as his reasons for taking the matter to the Legislature.

At the same time, Pinal County is studying solutions for the high-volume roadway as Maricopa Association of Governments builds a coalition that includes Arizona Department of Transportation, Gila River Indian Community, City of Maricopa and Pinal County. Funding for any resulting improvements is being collected through the county’s Prop 417 by the Regional Transportation Authority. That recently won a suit in appellate court but awaits the possibility of an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Read more at inMaricopa.com.