By Arizona Department of Transportation
Approval of a $400M appropriation by the Arizona legislature means the Arizona Department of Transportation can now submit a grant request for an additional $300 million in federal money for a proposed project to alleviate long standing traffic congestion on Interstate 10 between Chandler and Casa Grande.
Governor Doug Ducey has signed legislation sponsored by Senator T.J. Shope (R) – Coolidge. It appropriates $400M for this proposed project that was first outlined in the Governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget proposal. This would accelerate the expansion of this congested 26-mile stretch of I-10, the last segment of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has not been widened from two lanes to three lanes. The project also would include widening and improving several interchanges, crossroads and bridges, including the bridges over the Gila River. The state appropriation also is necessary to present a grant application made possible through the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act legislation.
An engineering and environmental study for the project is currently being completed in cooperation with the Gila River Indian Community and Maricopa Association of Governments and includes the following proposed improvements:
Corridor Improvements – Capacity and Safety:
- Adding a new general-purpose lane in east and westbound directions, extending the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane on I-10 from Loop 202 to Riggs Road, and improving interchanges and crossroads will increase capacity and access. This improves safety by reducing congestion and travel times and lessening detoured traffic on the Gila River Indian Community.
- Replacing bridges over the Gila River will maintain a state of good repair by modernizing this key infrastructure.
- Building new and improved traffic interchanges creates safer crossings for farm equipment, bicyclists and pedestrians and boosts connections and quality of life.
- Installing fiber optic infrastructure within ADOT Right-of-Way will allow for the installation of sensors, cameras and other highway safety-related technology.
Key Commerce Corridor, Arizona Jobs and Local Connections:
- As the principal roadway between metro Phoenix and Tucson for commuters, cross-country travelers and commercial traffic, I-10 is a Key Commerce Corridor for Arizona and the U.S. It provides a vital link for freight traffic from the ports of southern California and for international commerce, with a significant amount of freight transported along the route daily. The proposed improvements will improve the reliability of freight traffic in the corridor.
- The project, coupled with others around the state, will help attract employers and create jobs in Arizona.
- Locally, the route serves the Gila River Indian Community by providing connections to employment, medical, educational, and other critical services both within and outside of the Community.
Funding:
- Total estimated project cost is approximately $990M.
- $400M allocated in the state budget
- $300M to be requested as a federal grant
- $290Mpreviously budgeted.
- Construction for the I-10 widening project is funded in part by Prop. 400, a dedicated half-cent sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.
Timeline:
- A public hearing for the project is planned in late summer.
- Following completion of required environmental review and clearance, the project is expected to start in 2023, beginning with expanding the bridges that carry traffic over the Gila River.
- Target completion date for the full project is sometime in 2026. (Source)
